BS 

8055 



OTLINE STUDIES 

IN 

NEW TESTAMENT 

FOR 

BIBLE TEACHERS 



JESSE L, HURLBUT, DJD. 







Class-IB Sf~S 3 S 
Ronk . Mfit, 



Gopight X' 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



OUTLINE STUDIES 

IN 

THE NEW TESTAMENT 

FOR 

BIBLE TEACHERS 

By 

JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.D. 




New York: EATON & MAINS 
Cincinnati : JENNINGS & GRAHAM 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 

Two Copies Received 

JUN 4 1906 

j- Copyright Entry 
CLASS 7 <^ XXc, No. 
COPY B. 



Copyright, 1906, by 
EATON & MAINS. 



CONTENTS 



Page 
Prefatory 5 

Hints to Students 7 

Hints to Teachers 9 

The Course. Divided into Lessons 11 

I. The Land of Palestine 13 

II. The People of Palestine 19 

III. The Life of Christ 25 

IV. The Thirty Years of Preparation 30 

"V. The Year of Obscurity 35 

VI. The Year of Popularity . 40 

VII. The Year of Opposition 48 

VIII. The Week of the Passion 54 

IX. The Day of the Crucifixion 58 

X. The Forty Days of Resurrection 64 

XI. The New Testament World 68 

XII. The Synagogue 73 

XIII. The Church in Judea 76 

XIV. The Church in Transition St, 

XV. The Church Twenty Years after the Ascension 89 

XVI. The Preparation of Paul for His Work 93 

XVII. The Church Among the Gentiles 99 

XVIII. The End of the Age 106 



PREFATORY 



There is no book in the world which repays earnest study so 
abundantly as the Holy Bible. Even the cursory reader who pos- 
sesses a candid mind can gather many precious thoughts from its 
pages; and he who turns to it for guidance in life, however ignorant 
he may be, will never be led astray. But as the precious metal lies 
hidden in the mountains, and must be sought out by the miners, so 
the treasures in the Word of Life are found only by those who 
search diligently for them. He who not only reads but studies the 
Scriptures finds an abundant reward. There is need in our age of 
searchers in the Bible, who shall bring out of its treasure-house 
things new and old. 

In the old Bible the most important themes are those which 
gather around the God-man, Jesus Christ. His coming to earth 
was the culmination of all prophecy, the focus of all history, and 
the center of all doctrine ; and the church which he founded has been 
for nineteen centuries the inspiration of the world's progress. 
There are two subjects in the New Testament with which every 
follower of Christ should be thoroughly acquainted, and they are its 
two most prominent themes : the life of Christ on earth, and the 
growth of the early church. In the life of Christ he should know 
the order of the leading events; he should grasp its principles, and 
should enter into its spirit. Only as we apprehend Christ can we 
comprehend the truths taught and inspired by Christ. 

But our work as New Testament students must not end with the 
story of Christ's ascension from earth. Jesus left behind him a 
little church, of only one hundred and twenty members, which in 
seventy j^ars overswept all the lands of the greatest empire then 
on the earth, and which now covers nearly all the world. Of that 
church we are members, inheritors of its traditions, its doctrines, 
and — best of all — its spirit. It should be our delight to trace the 
steps of its early progress, to see how its plans grew with the ad- 

5 



Prefatory 

vancing years, and how an obscure company of Jewish disciples 
became a church of world-wide reach. 

To enable a student to obtain this knowledge this book has been 
prepared. The earlier studies on the life of Christ have been pub- 
lished as Studies in the Four Gospels, but have been carefully re- 
vised and, in the author's judgment, improved. The studies on the 
early church are the outgrowth of work begun many years ago, fre- 
quently revised, taught to classes many times, and carefully re- 
studied in the light of the most recent researches in the domain of 
early church history. 

These chapters are, as their titles indicate, studies; designed, not 
for reading, but for study. This book does not undertake to be a life 
of Christ, and a history of the early church, to be read. It simply 
extends a helping hand, and holds out to the student a clue by 
means of which he can form his own life of Christ and prepare for 
himself a history of the early church. Wherever a fact can be 
learned by searching out a Scripture reference the fact is not stated, 
but the reference is given. Every text referred to should be searched 
out, as these texts contain the essential facts of this book. Who- 
ever would use these studies rightly must pursue them with the 
Bible close at hand, and must consult his Bible more frequently 
than this text-book. 

There are a million and a half Sunday school teachers who should 
be acquainted with the story of Christ and his church: and there are 
several millions of young people in our Sunday schools who may be 
teachers before many years and need the same knowledge. This 
book has been prepared in the hope that these teachers and young 
people may find it a help to know Him who is the head of the church; 
and to understand the church, which is the pillar and ground of 

truth. 

Jesse L. Hurlbut. 
January 3, 1906. 



HINTS TO STUDENTS 



Those who desire merely to read this book, or to look it over, will 
not find it interesting. Those who already know how to study will 
not need these hints, and can use the book in their own way. But 
there are many who desire to study these subjects carefully and yet 
do not know precisely how to do the work. For these students, 
earnest but untrained, these hints are given. 

i . These studies should be pursued with the Bible close at hand, 
so that every Scripttire reference may be at once searched out and 
read. 

*2. Begin each lesson by a general view ; reading it through care- 
fully, and memorizing the leading divisions of the outline, which are 
indicated by the Roman numerals I, II, III, etc. This will give the 
general plan of the lesson. 

3. Now take up Part I of the lesson in detail; notice and mem- 
orize its subdivisions, indicated by 1, 2, 3, etc., and search out all 
the Scripture references cited in it. If practicable, write out on a 
sheet of paper the reference (not the language of the text in full) , 
and what each reference shows. Thus with references in the 
Second Study, page 17, Section I, Origin. 1. Semitic. (Gen. 12. 
1-3) God's call and promise to Abram. (Gen. 17. 1-8) The call 
repeated; name changed to Abraham. (James 2. 23) The Friend 
of God. (Gen. 18. 19: "He will command his children," etc.) 

In this manner write out all the facts ascertained from all the 
references in the section. 

4. It would be a good plan to write out in full, as a connected 
statement, all the facts in the section. 

5 . In like manner study out and write out all the facts obtained 
by a study of the lesson and the text cited in it. This will greatly 
aid the memory in holding fast to the information gained. 

6. Having done this, look at the blackboard outline at the end 
of the study and see if you can read the outline of the lesson by the 

7 



8 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

aid of the catch- words and indications which it affords. Study the 
lesson until you can read it with the blackboard outline, and then 
recall it without the outline. 

7. Now take up the questions for review. Read them over, one 
by one, and see if you can answer them. To many of them the 
answer is not given in the text-book, but it will be found in the 
Scripture references when searched out. Do not cease your study 
until every question can be answered from memory. 

8. Frequently review the lessons already learned. Before be- 
ginning the third study review the first and second; before the fourth, 
review the first, second and third; and at the completion of the 
course review them all. The knowledge gained by this thorough 
study will more than compensate for the time and trouble which it 
requires. 



HINTS TO TEACHERS 



Classes may be organized on various plans and out of varied 
materials for the study of these lessons. 

i. A teachers' class, composed of teachers and also of senior 
scholars in the Sunday school, may be formed to study the life of 
Christ, which is one of the most important subjects in the Bible. 
This may meet on an evening, or an afternoon, and devote all the 
session to the study of the lesson and to discussions upon it. 

2. In many places a teacher?' meeting is held for the study of the 
International Lesson as a preparation for the Sunday school class. 
A part of the time might be taken at this meeting for the study of 
these subjects. In that case it would be well to follow the division 
into lessons, as given on pages 9, 10. 

3 . A normal class may be organized among the brightest scholars 
in the Sunday school, who should be trained to become teachers. 
This normal class may meet on an afternoon, or an evening, or may 
take the lesson period in the Sunday school session. 

4. These studies may be pursued by the young people's society 
of the church, or by a class formed under its auspices, meeting at 
such time and place as shall be found most convenient. 

There are two methods in which these lessons may be taught: 
One is the lecture method, by which the instructor gives the lesson to 
the class in the form of a lecture, placing the outline upon the black- 
board as he proceeds, calling upon the students to read the texts 
cited, and frequently reviewing the outline in a concert drill. By 
this method the students may or may not have the books, as they 
and the instructor prefer. While it is not necessary to supply the 
class with the text-book, it will be a good plan to do so. Some lec- 
turers prefer to have the books closed while the lecture is being given ; 
but others desire to have the students use the outline in the book 
as a syllabus, enabling them to follow the subject more closely. 

The other method, simpler and easier, is to let the student have a 

9 



io Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

copy of the book, to expect the lesson to be prepared by the class, 
and to have it recited, either individually or in concert. Let each 
student gain all the information that he can upon the subjects of the 
lesson ; let each bring his knowledge to the possession of all ; let all 
talk freely, and all will be the gainers. 

It would be a good plan to have papers read from time to time 
upon the subjects suggested by the course and parallel with it. 

Some teachers and classes may regard the contents of this book as 
too extensive and may prefer a shorter course. The aim of the 
author has been to include in the course only those subjects that 
are essential to an understanding of the New Testament, and the 
entire series of lessons is recommended; but if a shorter course be 
deemed absolutely necessary, two plans are suggested : 

i. There are three subjects which under necessity might be 
omitted: Second Study, The People of Palestine; Third Study, 
General View of the Life of Christ; Twelfth Study, The Synagogue. 
This will leave fifteen studies, or twenty- two lessons. 

2. Another plan might be undertaken: to take up as a course 
the studies on the life of Christ, or even omitting, as above, the 
second and third studies, making eight; and to leave the eight 
studies in the early church — a most interesting and valuable 
subject — to a later period. 



THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO 
LESSONS 



For the convenience of teachers and classes, the eighteen studies 
of this course are divided into twenty-five lessons, as follows: 
Lesson i. The Land of Palestine. First Study. 

The People of Palestine. Second Study. 
The Life of Christ — General View. Third Study. 
The Thirty Years of Preparation. Fourth Study. 
The Year of Obscurity. Fifth Study. 
The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part One. 
The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part Two. 
The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part One. 
The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part Two. 
10. The Week of the Passion. Eighth Study. 
ii. The Day of the Crucifixion. Ninth Study. 

12. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Tenth Study. 

13. The New Testament World. Eleventh Study. 

14. The Synagogue. Twelfth Study. 

15. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part One. 

16. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part Two. 

17. The Church in Transition. Fourteenth Study. 

18. The Church Twenty Years after the Ascension. Fif- 
teenth Study. 

19. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth 
Study. Part One. 

20. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth 
Study, Part Two. 

21. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. 
Part One 



12 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

Lesson 22. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. 
Part Two. 

23. The Church.among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. 
Part Three. 

24. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part One. 

25. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part Two. 



FIRST STUDY 
The Land of Palestine 

In the historical study of the New Testament the two principal 
subjects are, the life of Jesus Christ on earth and, after the Ascen- 
sion, the growth of the Christian church. 

The life of Christ was passed entirely in Palestine ; and we there- 
fore begin our studies with a view of that land as it was in our 
Saviour's day. 

I. It was an oriental land. In all ages the boundaries of Pales- 
tine have been about the same, though the dominion of its rulers has 
varied according to their power. Palestine Proper, originally the 
land of Canaan, and later the land of Israel, or the Twelve Tribes, is 
located near the south-eastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea; 
having Syria and Phoenicia on the north, the great Syrian Desert on 
the east, the Sinai tic wilderness on the south, and the Mediterranean 
on the west. Located just outside the tropics, near the point of con- 
tact between Asia and Africa, it belongs to the Oriental or Eastern 
world. 

II . It was a small land. The greatest lands have not always been 
the largest. Greece, no larger than half a dozen counties in America, 
is greater in history than vast China; and the single city of Rome 
won and held the empire of the Mediterranean lands. Territorially 
the whole extent of Palestine was about that of Massachusetts and 
Connecticut united, or that of Switzerland, in Europe— about 12,500 
square miles. Its sea-coast, from Tyre to Gaza, is 140 miles long; 
its Jordan line, from Mount Hermon to the foot of the Dead Sea, is 
156 miles. 

III. It was a land of varied natural features* There is a regu- 
larity in the natural conformation of Palestine which every traveler 
notices. -The country lies in five parallel sections. 

1 . Approaching from the Mediterranean one meets first a sea- 
coast plain two or three miles wide at the north, but widening, as it 
goes southward, to nearly twenty miles at Gaza. 



14 



Outline Studies in the New Testament 



2. Crossing this we approach the Shephelah, or foot-hills; a ter- 
race of low hills, from 300 to 500 feet high. 

3. Ascending these we reach the mountain region, a range of 
mountains broken by ravines in all directions, and varying from 
2,500 to 3,000 feet high. This region was the home of the Israelites 
in all their history. They were always a mountain people and never 
occupied the lower plains in any great degree. In all the Bible 
times the plains and valleys were mainly foreign and heathen in 
their population, while the mountains were Israelite in the Old Testa- 
ment and Jewish in the New. 

4. Crossing the mountains we descend to the Jordan valley, 
lower than the sea level and from five to twenty miles wide. Through 
this runs the river Jordan, passing through two lakes — Lake Merom 
and the Sea of Galilee — and emptying into the Dead Sea. 

5. Beyond the valley rises the eastern table-land, with higher 
mountains, but more level summits, and broken by fewer valleys. 
The mountains gradually decline to the great Syrian Desert on the 
east. 

IV. It was a Land of Five Provinces. In the time of Christ 
there were five political divisions in Palestine; three on the west 
side of Jordan and two on the east. 

1. On the north, west of the Jordan, 
was the province of Galilee, situated be- 
tween the river Jordan, the Sea of Galilee, 
the land o f Phoenicia and Mount 
Carmel. It was inhabited by a brave, 
simple-hearted people, mainly Jews, but 
with many Gentiles among them. Hence 
its name (Isa. 9. 1, 2; Matt. 4. 15, 16); and 
the contempt in which it was held at 
Jerusalem. (John 7. 41, 52.) It was 
the home of Jesus during most of his life 
and ministry. 

2. The central region was Samaria. 
See its location. (John 4. 3, 4.) It was, 

strictly speaking, not a province but a district around the cities 
of Shechem and Samaria, not extending either to the sea or 
river, and of uncertain limits, inhabited by a composite people, 



PALESTINE, 




The Land of Palestine 15 

partly Israelite, partly heathen, in their origin. Note the claim 
of its people (John 4. 12) and their expectation. (John 4. 25.) 
Observe how they were regarded b} T the Jews. (John 4. 9; 8. 48.) 
Notice that Christ paid no regard to this caste prejudice. 
(John 4. 10.) 

3. The southernmost province of Palestine was Judea. As the 
largest, and the special home of the Jewish people, it often gave its 
name to the whole land, as in Mark 1. 5; Luke 7. 17: Acts 10. 37. 
Generally, however, it is distinguished as the name of the province, 
as in Luke 2. 4; Matt. 2. 22; John 4. 3. Jesus made several visits 
to this district, especially to its city, but only for limited periods, as 
its people were more bigoted than the Galileans and bitterly opposed 
to him. 

4. On the east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea was the province 
of Perasa, a word meaning "beyond. " It is not mentioned by that 
name in the New Testament. Notice what it is called in Matt. 19. 1 ; 
Mark 10. 1. We read of a visit paid by Jesus to this region near 
the close of his ministry. 

5. North of the river Hieromax, and east of the Sea of Galilee, 
was a fifth province, the ancient land of Bashan, "woodland," 
but known in the gospels as " Philip's tetrarchy. " Notice how it is 
specified in Luke 3 . 1 . Another name for a part of this territory 
is given in Matt. 4. 25; Mark 5. 20; 7. 31. Its inhabitants were 
mostly Gentiles or heathen. Twice this country enjoyed brief visits 
from Jesus, each marked by a miracle (Mark 5. 1-20; 7. 31-37). 

V. It was a' Populous Land. We can only note the places refei-red 
to in the gospel history, and we arrange them according to the prov- 
inces. 

1. In Galilee we note : 1.) Nazareth, due west of the southern 
end of the Sea of Galilee, the early home of Jesus (Matt. 2. 23; 
Luke 2. 51). 2.) Nain t south of Nazareth, where he wrought a 
miracle (Luke 7 . 11). 3 .) Cana, north of Nazareth, where the first 
miracle was wrought (John 2. 1). 4.) Capernaum, on the Sea of 
Galilee, the home of Jesus during most of his ministry, and the 
scene of many miracles (Luke 4. 31 ; Mark 2.1). 

2. In Samaria we note two places: 1.) Shechem, which may 
be the place referred to in John 4. 5, though late authorities regard 
it as the name of a hamlet, now called Iskar, near by. 2 .) Samaria, 



16 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

a few miles north-west of Shechem, the early capital of the province, 
and the first place where the Gospel was preached to other than the 
Jews (Acts 8. 5). 

3. In the province of Judea we notice: 1.) Jerusalem, "the 
holy city" (Matt. 4. 5), and the place where Jesus was crucified 
(Matt. 16. 21). 2.) Bethany, two miles east of Jerusalem (John 11. 
18) , where Jesus was entertained by Mary and Martha (John 11. 1) . 
Note two great events near this place (John n. 43; Luke 24. 50, 
51). 3.) Bethlehem, six miles south of Jerusalem. The great event 
in its history (Matt. 2. 1.) Its ancient honor (Luke 2. 4.) 4.) Hebron, 
the ancient capital of Judah, a priestly city, and the probable birth- 
place of John the Baptist (Luke 1. 39, 40.) 5.) Jericho, eighteen 
miles from Jerusalem, in the Jordan valley, visited by Jestis near 
the end of his ministry (Luke 19. 1). 6.) Ephraim, a village 
fourteen miles north of Jerusalem, the hiding place of Jesus for a 
brief period (John 11. 54). 

4. In the province of Pera?a but one place is identified as con- 
nected with the life of Christ : Bethabara (Revised version, "Beth- 
any beyond the Jordan") the place of the baptism and of the first 
disciples; thirteen miles south of the Sea of Galilee. 

5. In Philip's tetrarchy, east of the Sea of Galilee, we note three 
places: 1.) Caesarea Philippi, at the foot of the Mount Herraon 
(Mark 8. 27; 9. 2). 2.) Bethsaida, at the head of the Sea of 
Galilee, east of the Jordan (Luke 9. 10-13). 3.) Gergesa or 
Gerasa, a little place on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 
8. 28). 

VI. It was a Subject Land. Half a century before the birth 
of Christ the Jews became subject to Rome, and thenceforward 
various changes took place in the form of government : 

1. The whole land, with some surrounding provinces, was a 
kingdom under Herod the Great (Matt. 2. 1), but tributary to the 
emperor at Rome from 37 B. C. to 4 B. C, the year of Christ's 
birth. 

2. On Herod's death it was divided into three tetrarchies, 
"fourth-part rules." Archelaus became tetrarch of Judea and 
Samaria (Matt. 2. 22) ; Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perasa 
(Matt. 14 1 ; Luke 23. 6, 7) ; Herod Philip, tetrarch of the Bashan 
district (Luke 31). A fourth tetrarchy, outside of Palestine, on 
the north, was held by Lysanias (Luke 3. 1). 



The Land of Palestine 



"*» 



MEW TESTAMENT 

PALESTINE 



3. About the year 7 A. D., when Jesus was eleven years old, 
Archelaus was deposed by the Roman emperor and his dominion 
made a province under a Roman procurator, the other two tetrarch- 
ies remaining undisturbed. This was the form of government 
during the ministry of Jesus, Juclea and Samaria constituting one 

Roman province under Pon- 
tius Pilate ; Galilee and 
Pera?a, Herod's tetrarchy, 
and Bashan, Philip's tet- 
rarchy. 

4. In the year 37 the 
Roman emperor made 
Herod Agrippa I. king first 
over Judea, and then, in 41, 
over all the dominions of 
his grandfather, so that 
Palestine became a king- 
dom again. He is men- 
tioned in Acts 12. 1. 

5. On Agrippa's death, 
in A. D. 44, a new division 
took place. Agrippa II., son 
of Agrippa I., became ruler 
of Chalcis and Bashan. He 
is called, but by courtesy 
only, " King Agrippa, " in 
Acts 25. 13; 26. 1, 2. The 
rest of Palestine, consisting 
of Judea, Samaria, and 
Persea, became again a pro- 
curatorship under direct 
Roman rule. See Acts 23. 




24; 24. 27. 
6. On the rebellion of the Jews, A. D. 66, the government was 
again changed. Palestine became a part of Syria, under Vespasian, 
he legate. This was the end of Jewish history as a separate 
nationality. 

Suggestions for Study and Teaching 
1. Study carefully a good map of Palestine and learn from it the bound- 



i8 



Outline Studies in theNewT estamEnt 



aries and location of the land. Memorize the dimensions and distances given 
in the outline. 

2. Draw a map showing the five natural divisions in Par. III., and learn 
their names. 

3. Indicate on your own map the five provinces, comparing the best maps 
at hand to find their boundary lines. 

4. Locate on your own map all the places named in Par. V., and be able 
to name an event connected with each, studying the references for this purpose. 

5. Be sure to examine all the references, and state what fact each reference 
shows concerning a locality. 

6. Draw in succession five sketch maps, each to represent the political 
government of a period. Write across each province the name of a ruler. 
Map No. 1 will represent it at the birth of Christ. No. 2, during the child- 
hood of Christ. Map No. 3, during his ministry! No. 4, about A. D. 41. 
No. 5, from 42 to 66 A. D. Look out all the references given in Par. VI. 



Blackboard Outline 








►£ 


I. 


Orien. L. Bound. N. S. P. E. S. D. S. S. W. 


W. M. S. 


II. 


Sm. L* S. M. 12,500. S. C. 140. J- L. 156. 




III. 


Var. Nat. Fea. S. C. P. Sh. M. R. J. V. 


E. T. L. 


IV. 


Fiv. Prov. Gal. Sam. Jud. Per. Bash. 




V. 


Pop. L. Gal. N. N. C. C. Sam. Sh. Sa. Jud. J. 
J. E. Per. B. Ph. Tct. C. P. B. G. 


B. B.H. 


VI. 


Sub. L. 1. Km. 2. Tetr. 3. Prov. 4. 







Kgm. 5. "Kg. Ag. " Rom. Proc 6. Part 


of Syr. 
* 



Questions for Review 

Why do we need to study the land of Palestine? What were the boundaries 
of Palestine? Where is it located? Name some small countries which have 
been prominent in history. What is the size of Palestine? How long is the 
coast-line? The Jordan line? What are the five natural divisions of the land? 
Name and bound each of the political divisions. In which of these provinces 
was Jesus born? In which did he pass most of his life? In which was he 
crucified? Name four places in Galilee, and an event connected with each? 
Two places in Samaria, and their events. Six places in Judea and their events. 
One place in Perea and three in Philip's tetrarchy, with their events. State 
the six successive forms of government and their rulers in Palestine during 
the New Testament period. 



SECOND STUDY 
The People of Palestine 

In all the ancient world there was but one people among whom 
Christ could have come with his revelation, and through whom his 
message could have been given to mankind. That people was the 
Jews, in certain respects the most remarkable of all the races. 

1. We notice their origin, which shows a series of selections ex- 
tending through many centuries and a training for their peculiar 
mission. 

i. Of the three great families of earth, they sprang from the 
Semitic, which has been the mother of all the great religions of the 
world; a thoughtful, meditative race, rather than active and ag- 
gressive. 

2. From this race Abraham was called, more than twenty cen- 
turies before Christ, to be the father of a great nation (Gen. 12. 1-3; 
17. 1-8). He was distinguished for his worship of the one God, for 
his faith, and for his nobility of character. Notice his title in Jas, 
2. 23; a name'bv which he is still known in the East, el Khalil, 
"the Friend. " His influence upon his family (Gen. 18. 10). 

3. Of the families descended from Abraham that of Isaac was 
chosen (Gen/ 21. 12; Rom. 9. 7) . All the other races of Abrahamic 
origin yielded to the idolatrous influences around them and lost the 
knowledge of God. 

4. Of the two sons of Isaac one married among the Canaanites, 
and, as a result, his descendants became idolaters (Gen. 26. 34, 35; 
36. 2). The other chose the inheritance of the covenant (Gen. 
28. 20-22). His name Avas changed (Gen. 32. 28; 35. 10). His 
descendants, the Israelites, trained up in the true faith, became the 
people of God. Each of his twelve sons was the ancestor of a tribe 
(Exod. 1. 1-7). They continued one people for a thousand years, 
though part of the time divided into two kingdoms. 

5 In the year 721 B. C. ten of the twelve tribes were carried into 
Assyrian captivity (2 Kings 17. 18-20). Having lost their religion, 

19 



20 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

the only bond of unity, they mingled with the idolatrous world and 
ceased to be a separate people. The tribe of Judah was left, Ben- 
jamin being incorporated with it. Henceforth they were called 
"the Jews, " a name found first in 2 Kings 18. 26. 

6-. But through all the history of Judah, as well as of Israel, there 
had been two distinct elements in the people: the worshipers of God 
and of idols; the religious and the worldly. In order to separate 
these elements, to cut off the evil and to discipline the good, came 
the Babylonian captivity, B. C. 587. Through this the idolatrous 
element was either destroyed or assimilated with the heathen world. 
At the release from captivity, B. C. 536, all the Jews were of God- 
fearing, Scripture-loving element. This was the Remnant, the 
"holy seed," the true Israel (Isa. 6. 8-13). 

Thus, out of all the world, was gradually chosen and prepared a 
people among whom the Lord should come. 

II. Notice their traits as a race, for which they were chosen, and 
which were intensified by their training: 

1. They were a religious people; monotheistic; worshiping the 
one invisible God, hating idolatry. See the command (Exod. 20. 
3-6). The exhortation of Joshua (Josh. 24. 14). This is the great 
glory of Israel alone among the ancient nations. 

2. They were an exclusive people; strongly attached to each 
other, and seeking no affiliation with other races. Note this trait in 
Abraham (Gen. 24. 2-\). Also in Isaac (Gen. 28. 1, 2). See 
Balaam's prophecy (Num. 23. 9). To this day the Jews dwell 
apart; in most European cities there is a "Jewish quarter. " 

3. They were a conservative people; attached to their own cus- 
toms, opposed to all changes, clinging to their worship despite 
persecution. 

4. They w r ere an aspiring people. From their earliest history 
the Jews cherished the expectation of being a great and conquering 
nation. From their own prophecies they obtained the hope and 
belief that a great king should arise among them to rule the world. 
See the promises in Gen. 40. ro. The prophecy in Isa. 32. 1, 2. 
His title in Dan. q. 2$. The word "Messiah" in Hebrew is 
"Christos" in Greek, and "Anointed" in English. This mes- 
sianic hope was the central thought of all Judaism. 

5. They were a moral people. Their Scripture set up a stan- 



The People of Palestine 21 

dard of character immeasurably superior to that in other ancient 
lands Among the Jews womanhood was honored, drunkenness 
was rare, honesty was the rule, and crime was far less frequent than 
elsewhere. 

These were the traits that made the Jews the people of God and 
fitted them to accomplish the divine purpose. 

III. What was that purpose? Every race has its mission in the 
world. The Greeks were set to exalt the intellect; the Romans, 
to establish the reign of law. We notice the mission of the Jewish 
people: 

1. To perpetuate the knowledge of God. In the general wicked- 
ness of the world and the spread of idolatry there was danger 
lest the true religion be utterly lost. Therefore God chose out one 
nation — the one having the traits best fitting it for his purpose — and 
set it apart to guard the holy fire of divine truth until the rest of the 
world should be ready to receive it. 

2. To receive training for higher revelation. The higher reve- 
lations of God can come only to a people whose religious faculties 
have been trained to receive them. Judaism was God's school 
where a chosen race was educated. They received the Scriptures, 
the prophets, the ritual of worship, and, above all, the discipline 
of trial, fitting them to become "a nation of priests. " See Paul's 
enumeration of their privileges in Rom. 9. 4, 5. 

3. To proclaim the Gospel to the world. When, in the fullness 
of time, Israel was trained up to knowledge and the outer world 
prepared to receive the truth, Christ came as the consummation of 
Judaism. Then a new mission opened before the Jews — that of pro- 
claiming Christ to the world. The little company of disciples were 
the seed that should replenish the whole earth. See the command. 
(Matt. 28. 19, 20.) 

IV. We notice now the Jews in the time of Christ. 

1 . They were divided into two great branches? the Jews of Pales- 
tine and the Jews of the Dispersion. The former were descendants 
of those who had settled in Palestine after the decree of Cyrus, 
B. C. 536 (Ezra 1. 1-3) ; the latter those who remained in the lands 
of their adoption, were found all over the ancient world, and were 
far more numerous. See references to them in John 7. 35 ; James 1. 
1; 1 Pet. 1. 1. We note that these "Jews of the Dispersion" were 



22 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

not descendants of the Ten Tribes, except in a few instances, but 
were Jews — that is, descendants of Judah. 

2. Noticing now the Palestinian Jews, for with these the life of 
Christ was mainly connected, we find them divided into two sects, or 
schools of thought : the Pharisees and the Sadducees. These two 
parties arose about 168 B. C, in the time of the Maccabaean upris- 
ing. Let us look at them in contrast. 

i.) Their names express their traits. Pharisee means "sepa- 
ratist," "one who is apart." Sadducee means "just," or 
' ' righteous, ' ' but rather with our idea of the word ' ' moralist. ' ' 
2.) Their aims. The Pharisee aimed to keep the Mosaic law 
absolutely, particularly with regard to ceremonial require- 
ments; to do more than obey it, by setting around it a hedge 
of traditional interpretations going beyond its letter in strict- 
ness. The Sadducee professed to keep the law, ignoring 
tradition, but gave it a lax and easy interpretation which 
often, ignored its requirements. 
3.) Their spirit. The Pharisee was the radical and zealot, 
showing an intense, intolerant Judaism. The Sadducee was 
the liberal easy-going man of the world, taking the world as 
he found it. 
4.) Their beliefs. The Pharisee believed in a spiritual world, 
heaven, hell, angels, the hereaiter, the judgment. The Sad- 
ducee could not find clear statements of these doctrines in 
the Old Testament, and denied them. See Matt. 22. 23; 
Acts 23. 3. 
5.) Their influence. The Pharisees were strong in the syna- 
gogues, where the scribes gave their interpretations, and 
hence were powerful among the people as leaders in religion. 
The Sadducees were the smaller body, but influential from 
their wealth and their social position, for the high priests and 
all the priestly order belonged to them, and they were the 
office-holding class, the court party. (Acts 4. 1, 2; 5. 17.) 
6.) Their evils. The evil of the Pharisees was their tendency 
to make religion mere hypocritical formality, so often re- 
buked by Christ. See Matt. 23. 2-7. The evil of the Sad- 
ducees was their utter lack of moral conviction, from world- 
liness and self-interest. See their motive for putting Christ 
to death (John it. 47-50). 



The People of Palestine 23 

3. Thus far we have noticed only Jews, but there were also in 
Palestine many Gentiles, which was the name the Jews gave to all 
foreigners or people of race other than themselves. These were of 
three classes, called respectively: 1.) Sinners — That is, those who 
made no attempt to observe Jewish usages. See Gal. 2. 15. The 
same name was given to the Jews who did not undertake to keep the 
ceremonial law, without reference to their moral character (Matt. 
9. 10,11). 2.) The Devout. Those who believed in the Scriptures 
and worshiped God, but who had not been received into the Jewish 
Church by circumcision. Such was Cornelius (Acts 10. 1,2). 3.) 
Proselytes — Such as renounced Gentilism. received circumcision, 
and obeyed the Jewish law (Acts 6. 5; Matt. 23. 15). 

V. The Language of Palestine. 

1. Originally Hebrew; still read, in Christ's time, in the syna- 
gogue but not well understood and requiring an interpreter. 

2. Mostly Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic— that is, Chaldaic with 
Syrian admixture; the common dialect of the people, and undoubt- 
edly spoken by Christ. See instances in Mark 7 . 34 ; 15. 34. This is 
the language referred to in John 19. 20, 21, and Acts 22. 2, as 
"Hebrew." 

3. The language of polite literature in all countries was Greek; 
strongly opposed by the Pharisees, but employed by the Jews of the 
Dispersion, and used in the courts of Herod and Pilate (Acts 21. 37). 

4. The official language was Latin, that of the Roman Govern- 
ment, but not used by the Jews, and not generally understood by 
them. 

Blackboard Outline 



* 

1. 


Origin — 1. Sem. 2. Abr. 3. Isa. 4. Isr. (12 t.) 




5. Jud (Jews). 6. "Remn." 


II. 


Traits. — 1. Rel. 2. Exc. 3. Cons. 4. Asp. "Mess." 




5. Mor. 


III. 


Mission. — 1. Per. kno. G. 2. Rec. tra. hi. rev. 




3. Pro. Gos. wo. 


IV. 


Jews Ti. Chr.^-i. Bran. Pal. Dis. 2. Sec. Phar. Sadd. 




1.) Nam. 2.) Aim. 3.) Spir. 4.) Bel. 5.) Inf. 




6.) Evils. 3. Gen. 1.) Sin. 2.) "Dev. " 3.) Pro. 


V. 


Lang. — 1. Heb. 2. Ara. (Syr-Cha!.). 3. Gre. 4. Lat. 


* 


* 



24 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

Questions for Review 

To what people did Jesus Christ belong? From what great family of races 
did that people spring? What were the traits of this race? Who was the 
ancestor of the Jews, and what were his traits of character? How were the 
Jews gradually selected from among the descendants of Abraham? To which 
of the twelve tribes did most of the Jews belong? What was "the remnant" 
in Old Testament history? Name five traits of the Jews as a people. What 
was the mission of the Jewish people? What were the two great branches of 
the Jews in the time of Christ? What were their two sects? What were the 
differences between these sects? Who were the Gentiles? Into what three 
classes were they divided? What four languages were found among the Jews 
in the time of Christ? 



THIRD STUDY 
The Life of Christ 

The central figure in all the Bible is Jesus Christ. Note his im- 
portance in the Old Testament (John 5. 39; Luke 24. 27; Acts 10. 
43). Note his prominence in all true gospel teaching (1 Cor. 2. 2). 
Note his relation to every man (John 1.9.) (Rev. Ver.) We have, 
then, an interest in Jesus Christ deeper than in any other man who 
ever lived. 

I. Let us notice some General Aspects of his Life, 

1. It was a short life. This man, who has influenced the world 
more than any other, lived less than thrty-five years. His age at 
the beginning of his ministry we learn from Luke 3 . 23 , and the dur- 
ation of his ministry was not more than three years and a half at the 
longest. 

2. It was a life passed wholly in Palestine. Only once do we 
read of his journeying near any other country, and it is not probable 
that he went beyond its borders (Mark 7. 24). The only times of 
direct contact with Gentiles are mentioned (Mark 7. 25, 26; John 12. 
20-22). He never enjoyed the benefits of foreign travel, of com- 
munion with learned men in the great cities, of studies at the uni- 
versities of Athens or Alexandria. All his knowledge came from 
within. 

3. It was a life among the common people. He lived in a des- 
pised province (John 7. 41, $2). He came from a despised town 
(John 1. 46). He was a working mechanic (Mark 6. 3). He 
received only a common education (John 7. 15). His manner of life 
during his ministry (Matt. S. 20). Yet out of these lowly surround- 
ings grew up the one exalted character, the one perfect life, in all 
human history. 

4. It was an active life. The first thirty years may have been 
spent in quiet preparation, but the three years of his ministry were 
very busy. See pictures in Mark 1 . 36-38; 2. 1-4:6.31-34. Notice 
the hyperbole in John 21. 2$, which is not to be taken literally. 

25 



26 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

But if the whole life of Jesus were related with the minuteness of 
the day between the sunset of the Last Supper and that of the burial 
the narration would require one hundred and eighty-five books as 
large as the Bible. 

II. Let us arrange the events of Christ's life in chronological 
order, grouping them into Seven Periods. 

i. The first period is that of The Thirty Years of Preparation, 
of which we notice the following facts : 

i.) It begins with his Birth (Luke 2. 7), and ends with his 

Temptation (Matt. 4. 1). 
2.) It is related mainly by Luke (Luke 1-4) with some facts 
in Matthew (Matt. 1. 2; 4. 1-11), and a brief mention of its 
closing events in Mark (Mark 1. 9-13). 
3.) It was passed mainly in Galilee, though with isolated 
events in Judea, in Egypt (Matt. 2. 14, 15), and in Persea. 
■ See John 1.28. 
4.) It was the longest of all the periods, embracing nine tenths 
of his life; yet it is the one having the fewest incidents re- 
corded; and of eighteen years in it absolutely no events are 
known. 

2. Next is The Year of Obscurity. In this and the two succeeding 
periods the year is not a precise epoch, and may have been a little less 
or a little more. 

1.) It begins with the first followers (John 1. 35-37), and 
ends with the return to Galilee (John 4. 43, 44). 

2.) It is related only by John, who, of all the gospel writers, 
records the visit of Jesus to Judea and Jerusalem. 

3.) It was passed principally in Judea, though with visits to 
Galilee, and on the way a visit to Samaria. 

4.) It is justly called a "year of obscurity, " for we know but 
little concerning either its aims, its events, or its results. It 
was accompanied with miracles (John 3. 2; 4-45)- It 
attracted attention (John 3. 26; 4. 1). Yet at its close we 
find that the followers of Jesus were few, and he went to 
Galilee to begin his ministry anew. 

3 . The Year of Popularity, in marked contrast with the preced- 
ing period. 

1.) It begins with the Rejection at Nazareth (Luke 4. 14-30) » 



The Life of Christ 27 

and ends with the Discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6. 
25-71), a day or two after the miracle of Feeding the Five 
Thousand. 

2.) It is related by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, with some 
additional incidents by John. 

3). The scene of the Saviour's ministry was in Galilee, which 
he traversed extensively during this year. One visit to Jer- 
usalem is related by John (John 5 . 1,2). 

4.) It was a year of great activity, spent in incessant journeys, 
preaching, and works of mercy, and the most popular period 
of the Saviour's life, when the crowds were greatest and the 
people seemed ready to accept Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. 
Yet at its close, as before, he was left alone with his twelve 
disciples (John 6. 66-68). 

4. Another period we find in The Year of Opposition, again 
contrasted with the year before it. 

1.) It begins with the Retirement to Phoenicia (Mark 7. 24) 
and ends with the Anointing by Mary (John 12. 1-3). 

2.) It is recorded in all the gospels in almost equal measure, 
Luke giving the most complete account of the ministry in 
Peraea, and John, as usual, relating the visit to Judea. 

3.) This period is peculiar in the fact that in it Jesus visited 
all the five provinces of Palestine. We find him in Decapolis 
(which was a part of the Bashan district) (Mark 7. 31); 
passing through Galilee (Mark 9. 30); also through Samaria 
(Luke 9. 51, 52); in Perasa (Mark 10. 1), and in Judea 
(John 11. 7). 

4.) This part of the Saviour's life has been variously charac- 
terized as "a ministry of sorrow and humiliation," "a year 
of instruction, " and "a period of retirement. " All are cor- 
rect, for during this, the last year of his life, Jesus sought to 
be alone with his disciples, and in order to escape the crowds 
visited places where he was unknown. He aimed to instruct 
his disciples in the deeper truths of the gospel, to prepare 
their minds for his approaching death and for their mission 
as apostles (Matt. 16. 21). 

5. We now approach the close of Christ's life on earth, and the 



28 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

narration is more detailed as the cross comes nearer to view. Our 
next period is The Week of the Passion. 

i.) Beginning with the Triumphal Entry on the Sunday 

before the Passover (John 21. 12, 1 3) , it ends with the Agony 

in the Garden about midnight on Thursday (Matt. 26. 36); 

thus embracing strictly but five days. 

2.) It is related in all the gospels, John alone adding the 

teaching given at the Last Supper (John 13-17). 
3.) All the events of this period took place in or near Jerusa- 
lem. 
4.) This was the last call of Christ to the Jews of Jerusalem, 
and his final rebuke for their rejection of his ministry. 

6. The Day of the Crucifixion. The most important day in all 
earth's history was that when Jesus died upon the cross. It is also 
the day whose events are narrated more fully than any other in the 
Bible annals. Therefore we study it apart from the rest of the week 
as a separate period. 

1.) It begins with the Arrest (Matt. 26. 47), soon after mid- 
night, Friday a. m., the day of the Passover, and ends at 
about sunset of the same day with the Burial (Matt. 27. 
59, 60). 

2.) Each gospel adds its portion to the account, that of John, 
an eye-witness of all the events, being the most complete. 

3.) The events took place in Jerusalem; but few, if any, of the 
localities are known with certainty. 

4.) In the scenes of this day we see Jesus as the suffering 
Saviour, bearing the sins of the world. 

7 . Last of all come The Forty Days of Resurrection. 

1). From the Resurrection, early on the first Easter Sunday 
(Matt. 28. 1-8), to the Ascension, forty days afterward (Acts 

i. 1-3)- 

2.) All the gospels give accounts of the appearances of the 
risen Saviour, but Luke alone tells the story of his Ascension 
(Luke 24. 50, 51; Acts 1. 9-1 1). 

3.) The manifestations of Christ after his Resurrection took 
place in and near Jerusalem, near the village of Emmaus 
(Luke 24. 13), and in Galilee (Matt. 28. 16; John 21. 1). 

4.) During this period the visible revelation of Christ was not 



. The Life op Christ 29 

Constant, but occasional; to his disciples only, never to his 
enemies; and of a spiritual body, which was freed from the 
restraints of the flesh (Mark 16. 12; Luke 24. 31; John 20. 

i9). 

Blackboard Outline 

I. Gen, Asp. 1. Sh. 2. In Pal. 3 Am. com. peo. 4. Ac. 
II. Sev. Per. 

1. Th. Ye. Prep. 1) Bir-Temp. 2). Lu. Mat. Mar. 3) Gal. 

4) Long, few inc. 

2. Ye.Obs. i)Fir. Foll.-Re. Gal. 2) Jno. 3) Jud. 4) Obs. 

3. Ye. Pop. 1) Re. Naz-Dis. B. L. 2) M. M. L. 3) Gal. 

4) Act. 

4. Ye. Opp. 1) Re. Pb.-An. Ma. 2) All Gos. 3) All Prov. 

4) Instruc. 

5. We. Pass. 1) Tri. En.-Ag. Gar. 2) All Gos. 3) Jer. 

4) Las. Ca. 

6. Day Cru. 1) Arr.-Bur. 2) All Gos. 3) Jer. 4) SufL 

Sav. 

7. For. Da. Res. 1) Res.-Asc. 2) All Gos. 3) Jud. Gal. 

4) Spir. bod. 



Questions for Review 

In what respects is Jesus Christ the central figure in the Bible ? How long 
was Christ's life ,on the earth? Where was it passed? Among what class 
of people did Jesus live? How do we know that Jesus led an active life? 
What is the first of the seven periods into which his life is divided? With 
what events does the first period begin and end? Which gospel relates the 
most of this period? Where was it mainly passed? How long was it? What 
is the second period called? What are its first and last events? By whom is it 
related? W r here was it passed? What were its results? What is the third 
period called? With what events did it begin and end? By what evangelists 
is it related? In what province was it passed? What is the fourth period 
called? With what events did it begin and end? What provinces were 
visited during this period? What were the traits of Christ's ministry at this 
time? What is the fifth period called? How long was it? What in this 
period is related by but one evangelist? Where did its events take place? 
What is the sixth period called? How long was it? With what events did it 
begin and end? Which account is most complete? What is the seventh 
and last period called? What were its first and last events? Which gospel 
alone relates the ascension? What were the traits of Jesus during those days? 



FOURTH STUDY 

The Thirty Years of Preparation 

From the Birth of Jesus to His Temptation. 

We have before us the longest of all the divisions in the history of 
Jesus, embracing thirty of his thirty-three years of life, and the one 
concerning which we know the least. 

1. Let us study the Places connected with this period. These 
we group according to locality, and not in the order of their events. 
Beginning in the north and traveling southward we note the follow- 
ing places: 

i. Nazareth, his early home, in Galilee, due west of the southern 
point of the Sea of Galilee. Here Joseph and Mary lived before the 
birth of Jesus (Luke 2. 39) ; here Jesus was brought up (Luke 4. 16) ; 
and here he was living up to the time of his baptism (Mark 1.9). 

2. Bethabara (Rev. Ver., Bethany), the place of his baptism. 
This was in the Jordan valley, south of the Sea of Galilee. (John 

1. 28). 

3. The wilderness, the place of his temptation. (Matt. 4. 1.) 
This was probably the rocky desolate region of Judea, near the 
head of the Dead Sea. 

4. Jerusalem, the place of the Temple; the Jewish capital, due 
west of the northern point of the Dead Sea. Find three visits of 
Jesus to the temple during this period. In his infancy (Luke 

2. 22). 2.) In his youth (Luke 2 . 42). 3.) In his manhood (Luke 
4. 9). 

5. Bethlehem, the place of his birth. (Matt. 2. 1). This was 
six miles south of Jerusalem, in Judea. 

6. Egypt, the place of his refuge. (Matt. 2. 14). This was the 
land south-west of Palestine, where Jesus was taken in his infancy 
in order to escape from King Herod. 

Let the student 1.) Draw a map showing these places. 2.) Mem- 
orize the list. 3.) With each place name its event in the life of 

30 



I. 


The 


2.) 


To 


6). 


4-) 



The Thirty Years of Preparation 31 

Jesus. 4.) Find other events of Scripture history connected with 
these places. 

II. Let us arrange in order the Events of this period. 
annunciation of his birth, i) To Mary (Luke i. 26-38). 
Joseph (Matt. 1. 20, 21). 3.) To Simeon (Luke 2. 25, 
To the shepherds (Luke 2. 8-1 1). 

2. The birth at Bethlehem. Note the purpose for which Joseph 
and Mary went to Bethlehem (Luke 2. 1-4). The circumstances of 
his birth (Luke 2. 6, 7). 

3. The welcome to the child. 1.) On the night of his birth 
(Luke 2. 15). 2.) A few days later (Matt. 2. 1, 11). 3.) In the 
temple (Luke 2. 25-28, 36, 38). 

4. The refuge in Egypt (Matt. 2. 13-15). This may have been 
for a few weeks, a few months, or for a few years. 

5. The childhood at Nazareth (Matt. 2. 22, 23; Luke 2.* 39, 40). 
By what route would the journey from Egypt be made? 

6. The visit to the temple. Read the account in Luke 2. 41-52. 
and notice: 1.) The age of Jesus. 2.) The object of the journey, 
3.) Probable route. 4.) Where he tarried and why. 5,) The 
objects of his interest. 6.) Traits of his character shown. 

7. The silent years. From the age of twelve to that of thirty 
no events are named. His home was still at Nazareth (John 1. 45). 

8. The woodworker at Nazareth. From the fact that Joseph 
is not referred to after the visit to the temple it may be presumed 
that he died before the ministry of Jesus began. He had been a 
"carpenter" (Matt. 13. 35) ; although the word means, more pre- 
cisely, "a skilled worker in wood, " and may refer to the making of 
almost anything except houses, which were not built of wood. Jesus 
followed the same trade (Mark 6. 3) and, as the oldest son, sup- 
ported his widowed mother and younger brothers and sisters (Mark 

6- 3). 

9. The baptism in Jordan. Compare the four accounts (Matt. 

3. 13-17; Mark 1. 9-1 1; Luke 3. 21, 22; John 1. 28-34); and find: 
1.) The place. 2.) The age of Jesus. 3.) The baptizer. 4.) The 
divine manifestation. 

10. The temptation in the wilderness. This followed immedi- 
ately upon the baptism, and was a preparation for his ministry (Matt. 

4. 1-11; Mark 1. 12, 13; Luke 4. 1-13). Note: 1.) The place. 2.) 



32 



Outline Studies in the NewTestamenT 



Journeys {or } 

30 YEARS! OF PREPARATION 



The personality of the tempter. 3 .) The three forms of temptation. 
4.) How repelled. 5.) The result. 

Let the student, 1.) Memorize these nine events in their order. 
2.) Read the account of each in the gospels. 3.) Recall where each 
took place. 4.) Notice what other persons besides Jesus are named 
in the period (for example, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Herod, 
etc.) and each one's part in the events. 

III. Draw the map 
of Palestine, locating 
upon it the five places 
named ; and then indi- 
cate the following 
Journeys of the period : 
1. From Bethlehem to 
Jerusalem (for the pres- 
entation in the tem- 
ple) and return. 2. 
From Bethlehem to 
Egypt (flight from 
Herod). 3. From Egypt 
to Nazareth. 4. From 
Nazareth to Jerusalem 
and return (visit to 
temple) . 5 . From Na- 
zareth to Bethabara 
(baptism). 6. Betha- 
bara to the wilderness 
(temptation) . 

IV. Let us now 
study the External 
Conditions of Christ's 
life during this period. 

1. The family. The 
royal line of both Jo- 
seph and Mary (Matt. 
1. 1 ; Luke 1. 27, 32). Their obscure social condition (Matt. 13. 
54, 55). In all probability they belonged to the better class of 
self-supporting workers : for Joseph followed a trade. 




The Thirty Years of Preparation 33 

2. The house* Probably like those of working people in Pales- 
tine; built of clay, one story high, containing but one room with no 
window, but lighted through the door; whitewashed on the out- 
side; floor of earth. 

3. The furniture. A couch that could be rolled up (Mark 2. 12). 
A lamp, a lamp-stand, "the bushel" (used as seat, table, and dish 
(Matt. 5. 15). Hand-mill for grinding (Deut. 24. 6; Matt. 24. 41). 
Probably neither chair, table, nor bedstead. 

4. Education. Jesus received only the common schooling, not 
a college education (John 7. 15). Contrast with the early advan- 
tages of Paul (Acts 22. 3) . Every synagogue had a school taught by 
"the minister." See Luke 4. 20. He was not a priest, nor even a 
scribe, but properly the curator or sexton of the synagogue, and all 
the teaching was the reading of the Old Testament. 

5. Religious training. 

1.) There was the influence of a godly man and woman. 

"Joseph, "a just man,' ' living in fellowship with God. (Matt. 

1. 19, 20). The character of Mary (Luke 1. 38; 2. 19, 51). 

2.) The instruction in the Scriptures at home (Deut. 6. 7.) 

3.) The daily prayers, morning and evening, always observed 

(Matt. 6. 5, 6). 
4.) The Sabbath rest (Mark 2. 27). 

5.) The worship of the synagogue (Luke 4. 16; Mark 6. 2.) 
6.) The great feasts, celebrated each year at Jerusalem — Pass- 
over, Pentecost, and Tabernacles — which Joseph and Mary 
attended (Luke 2. 41). 
Under these influences Jesus grew up to manhood. 

Blackboard Outline 



I. 


Pla. 1. Naz. ea. h. 2. Beth. pi. bap. 3. Wil. pi. 




temp. 4. Jer. pi. Tern. 5. Beth. pi. bir. 6. Eg. pi. ref . 


II. 


Even. 1. Ann. bir. 2. Bir. Beth. ' 3. .Wei. ch. 




4. Ref. Eg. 5. Chi. Naz. 6. Vis. Tern. 7. Sil. ye. 




8. Wo. Naz. 9. Bap. Jor. 10. Tern. wil. 


III. 


Jour. 1. B.J.R. 2. B.E. 3. E.N. 4. N.J.R. 5. N.C. 6. B.W. 


IV. 


Ext. Con. 1 Fam. 2. Hou. 3. Furn. 4. Edu. 




5. Rel. tra. 


H 


_ — _ — ___ 



* 



34 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

Questions for Review 
Where did the mother of Jesus live before her marriage ? At what place was 
Jesus baptized? Where did the temptation take place? What three visits did 
Jesus make to Jerusalem before his ministry? To what country was Jesus 
taken as a refuge from Herod? Name six places connected with this period 
and a fact about each. Name four announcements made to different people 
of the coming of Jesus. For what purpose did Joseph and Mary go to 
Bethlehem just before the birth of Jesus? Who came to see Jesus at Bethle- 
hem. Who gave him welcome in the temple during his infancy? How old 
was Jesus when he first visited the temple? What part of his life is known 
as "the silent years"? What trade did Jesus follow when he became a man? 
What took place at the baptism of Jesus? State nine events in the first thirty 
years of Jesus's life. State a fact in the life of Jesus with which each of the 
following persons was connected: Joseph, Simeon, Herod, John the Baptist, 
Gabriel, wise men, "the doctors of the law," shepherds. How do we know that 
Joseph and Mary were poor people? To what distinguished family did they 
belong? In what kind of a house did they probably dwell? What articles of 
furniture did the house contain? What education did Jesus receive? Who 
was the teacher of the school? What were the religious influences around the 
youth of Jesus? What feasts did he attend? 



FIFTH STUDY 

The Year of Obscurity 

From the First Followers of Jesus to His Return to Galilee* 

1. Preliminary Notes on the period. 

i. Sources of Information, Our only account of this period is 
contained in John's Gospel. Read carefully John i. 19 to 4. 54 for 
all the facts on record. 

2. Time. The Saviour came from the temptation in the wilder- 
ness either late in February or early in March, A. D. 27, and 
he began his ministry in Galilee in May, A. D. 28 ; so that this period 
embraced nearly fifteen months. (Edersheim. According to 
Andrews it ended in March, and was a year in duration). 

3 . Locality. Most of this year was passed in Judea, though there 
is menti6n of one journey to Galilee soon after the beginning (John 
1. 43), and of another at the close (John 4. 3). 

4. Aim. It is probable that Jesus began his ministry in Judea, 
the leading province, in order to give to the leaders of the nation the 
first opportunity of accepting him as the Messiah of Israel. Not 
until Jerusalem and Judea had rejected him did he turn to the 
people of Galilee. 

II. Places. 

1. Bethabara (or Bethany, as in Rev. Ver.) (John 1. 28). 
Here occurred the meeting of Jesus with his first followers (John 

i- 37)- 

2. Cana, the place of the first miracle (John 2. 1). This was in 
Galilee, not far from Nazareth. 

3 . Capernaum, named only as a place of a brief visit by Jesus at 
this time, but later more prominent in the history (John 2. 12). 
Situated on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

4. Sychar, the place of the Samaritan ministry (John 4. 5, 40). 
This was formerly supposed to be the well-known city of Shechem, 
but is now more accurately fixed at Askar, a small village near to 
Jacob's well. 



36 



Outline Studies in the NewTestament 



YEAK OF. 
OBSCURITY. 



5. Jerusalem. During this period two events took place in Jeru- 
salem — the cleansing of the temple (John 2. 14, 15), and the con- 
versation with Nicodemus (John 3, i, 21). 

III. Journeys. We be- 
gin in the wilderness of the 
temptation. 1. From, the 
wilderness to Bethabara. 
2 . From Bethabara to 
Cana. 3. From Cana to 
Capernaum. 4. From 
Capernaum to Jerusalem 
andjudea. 5. Fromjudea 
to Sychar, and thence to 
Cana. 

IV. We place in order 
next the Events of the 
Saviour's life during this 
period. 

1. The first followers. 
Read John 1. 35-51 and 
ascertain the names of 
four, with hints of two 
others; for one of two in 
ver. 40 was John, and the 
language in ver. 41 implies that each sought his own brother. 
Notice what traits of character each disciple showed. In this 
little company, the band out of which grew the Christian Church, 
we find: 1.) A man who brought people one by one to' Jesus. 
2.) A deep, spiritually-minded mystic. 3.) A born leader. 4.) A 
plain, simple-minded believer. 5.) A man of pure, spotless charac- 
ter. What a combination of qualities for the founding of a church! 

2. The first miracle (John 2. 1-11). In this miracle we find 
an apt symbol of what Christ came to do among men. He found 
water, and he turned it into living, spirit-quickening wine. 

3. The visit to Capernaum (John 2. 12). Why he went we 
have no means of knowing, and it is idle to speculate. 

4- The first Passover (John 2. 13). The mention of these pass- 
overs is important, for they enable us to know how long was the min- 




The Year of Obscurity 37 

istry of Jesus, and they give us dates for its events. This was the 
first passover of his ministry, not of his life. 

5- Cleansing the Temple (John 2. 14-17). This was the first 
public act of his ministry in which he claimed the authority of 
Messiah in the house of God. See the prophecy, Mai. 3. 1-3. At 
the close of his ministry he found that the same evils had crept again 
into the temple, and purged it a second time (Matt. 21. 12). 

6. Conversation with Nicodemtts (John 3. 1-2 1). This conversa- 
tion was remarkable : 1.) From the rank and character of the man 
(Vers. 3, 10). 2.) From the theme (Ver. 3.) 3). From its results 
(John 7. 50; 19. 39). 

7. Ministry in Judea (John 3. 22. 1). Its precise place is un- 
known. 2.) Its relation to John the Baptist (John 3. 26). 3.) Its 
success (John 4. 1). 

8. Ministry in Samaria (John 4. 4-42). 1.) What led to it. 
(Ver. 4.) 2.) Where it took place. (Ver. 5.) 3.) How it began. (Vers. 
6, 7.) 4.) Its first convert, a remarkable character, of aptness in 
speech, penetration, and power to influence others. (Vers. 9,15, 20, 
25, 28, 30, 39.) Compare her brightness with the dullness of Nicode- 
mus. 5.) Its length. (Ver. 40.) 6.) Its results: (Vers. 41,42.) 
This ministry is a most interesting episode in the life of Jesus. 

9. Return to Galilee (John 4. 43). 1.) Reason for the journey 
(John4. 1-3). 2.) Another reason (Mark 1. 14). 3.) Still another 
reason (John 4. 44, 45) — that is, he had no honor in his own coun- 
try until he had obtained it in Judea. 

10. Healing the nobleman's son (John 4. 46-54). 1.) Where 
Jesus was. (Ver. 46.) 2.) Who the man was. (Ver. 46) — literally, "a 
king's man, courtier."" Is his name given in Luke 8. 30? 3.) His 
spirit, earnestness, persistence, faith. (Vers. 48-50.) 4.) His reward. 
(Vers. 51, 52.) 5.) Result of the miracle. (Ver. 53.) 

Let the student, 1.) Commit this series to memory. 2.) Study 
the facts in relation to each by searching out the references. 
3.) Recall the facts in connection with each event. 4.) Make a list 
of eight men and two women who were connected with these 
events- and recall what is related of each person. 

V. Let us now consider the General Traits of the Ministry of 
Christ during this period. 

1. It was preparatory. So far as we can perceive, the plans 



38 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

of Christ's kingdom were not as yet revealed, and no general proc- 
lamation of it was made. Yet he clearly revealed himself to a 
chosen few as the Messiah of Israel (John 1. 41, 45; 4. 25, 26). 

2. It was connected with John the Baptist. The two streams 
ot John's ministry and Christ's ministry run together during this 
preparatory ministry. John introduced Jesus (John 1. 29-36). 
The two worked at the same time, in the same way, and not far 
apart (John 3. 22-24). Both Jesus and John refused to be put into 
a relation of rivalry, either by their friends (John 3. 25-30) or by 
their enemies (John 4. 1-3). 

3. It was individual — that is, to individuals rather than to 
masses of people. We read of no such multitudes as in the suc- 
ceeding period, but we find six conversations of Jesus with single 
persons or small groups. He sought to gather a few choice disciples 
rather than many adherents. 

4. It was a teaching ministry. There were miracles (John 2. 
23; 3. 2), but they were not made prominent; and the immediate 
followers of Jesus were won by what they saw in him and heard 
from him rather than by wonders wrought by him. 

VI. Lastly, we ascertain the Results of the Saviour's ministry 
during this period. 

1. It gave him prominence before the people. The popular 
attention was arrested, and there was a transient, superficial accept- 
ance by the many; but Jesus knew the hearts of men too well to 
trust them (John 2. 23, 24; 3. 26). 

2 . It led to his rejection by the rulers. Though this is not stated 
it is hinted at in the controversies of the Jewish leaders (John 2. 18) ; 
in the conclusion of the gospel writer (John 3. 18-20), and in the 
reference to the Pharisees (John 4. 1). From this hour the attitude 
of the capital and the ruling minds was hostile to Jesus. They 
missed the one great opportunity in their nation's history. 

3 . It drew around him chosen followers. From this time there 
was a company of disciples with Jesus. They returned to their 
homes in Galilee for a time, but were soon called to leave all and 
accompany their master. To some of them we find three separate 
calls (John 1. 37-42; Matt. 4. 18-22 more than a year later, and 
Mark 3. 13, 14, later still). 

4. It prepared for his ministry in Galilee. The fame of Christ's 



The Year of Obscurity 39 

acts in Judea went before him to Galilee, awakened curiosity, and 
gave him a ready reception on his return (John 4. 45). We shall 
find in the next period great multitudes thronging after Jesus as the 
result of his ministry in Judea. 

Blackboard Outline 



I. Pre. Not. 1. Sour. Inf. Jno. 2. Ti. 15 m. 3. Loo 
Jud. 4. Aim. Fir. opp. 
II. Pla. 1. Beth. 2. Can. 3. Cap. 4. Syc. 5. Jer. 

III. Jour. 1. W. B. 2. B. C. 3. C. C. 4. C. J. & J. 
5. J. S. &C. 

IV. Even. 1. Fir. Foil. 2. Fir. Mir. 3. Vis. Cap. 4. Fir. 
Pass. 5. Cle. Tern. 6. Con. Nic. 7.Min.Jud. 8. Min. 
Sam. 9. Ret. Gal. 10. Heal. Nob. Son. 

V. Gen. Tra. 1. Prep. 2. Con. J. Bap. 3. Ind. 4. Tea. 
VI. Res. 1. Prom. 2. Rej. nil. 3. Cho. fol. 4. Prep. 
Min. Gal. 

* . * 

Questions for Students 

What book is our only source of information for this period? How long 
was the period? Where was it mostly passed? What was Christ's aim at 
this time? Name the five places of the period, and an event at each. Give 
in order the ten events of this period. Who were the first six followers of 
Jesus? What was his first miracle, and where wrought? Where did Jesus 
go for his first passover? Name two events that took place at this visit. Where 
did Jesus preach for a time? What led him to another province? Whom did 
he meet there, and • at what place? How long did he stay in the province 
of Samaria? What were his reasons for returning to Galilee? What miracle 
did he work on his return? What were the circumstances of this miracle? 
What were the general traits of Christ's ministry during this period? What 
were the results of his ministry? How did it prepare the way for his work 
in Galilee? 



SIXTH STUDY 

The Year of Popularity 

From the Rejection at Nazareth to the Discourse on the Bread 

of Life 

1. General Aspects of the Ministry of Christ during the Period. 
i Its Time. It was either a little less or a little more than a 

year, according to different authorities. According to Dr. Eders- 
heim it extended from May, A. D. 28, to April, A. D. 29; according 
to Dr. Andrews, from March, A. D. 28, to April, A. D. 29. 

2. Its Locality. The principal sphere of Christ's activity during 
this year was Galilee, though he made one visit to Jerusalem (John 

5.i). 

3. Its Aim. The purpose of Jesus during this year seems to 
have been to proclaim the new kingdom of God as widely as possible, 
and to make men acquainted with its principles. The theme of 
his preaching is given in Matt. 4. 17. The deeper themes of the 
Gospel were reserved for a later time and a select body of hearers ; 
and those aspects were presented which all men could at once com- 
prehend, as the teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. 

4. Its Activity. No other year in the Saviour's life was crowded 
so thickly with journeys and labors. See its summary in Matt. 4. 
23-25. We can trace eight distinct journeys from Capernaum to 
various regions during this year. 

5. Its Divisions. The number of events left on record makes a 
subdivision of this period necessary, and we find a convenient place 
at the Sermon on the Mount, which marks a point of departure in 
the Saviour's ministry. The Early Galilean Ministry extends from 
the rejection at Nazareth to the Sermon on the Mount, and the 
Later Galilean Ministry from the Sermon on the Mount to the dis- 
course on the Bread of Life. During the earlier section the ministry 
was personal and the range was less extended ; during the later Jesus 
sent his apostles forth to labor, and his own journeys were longer 
and in new fields. 

40 



The Year of Popularity 41 

II. The Places. Though the Saviour visited many places dur- 
ing this year only seven have been named in the gospels. These 
are: 

1. Capernaum, his home during the period (Matt. 4. 15). From 
this place he went forth on all of his preaching tours, and to it he 
returned. Its privilege (Matt. n. 23,24). It was situated on the 
northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

2. Nazareth. Twice in this period Jesus was at this place: at 
its beginning (Luke 4. 16), and again in the middle of the year 
(Matt. 13. 54). On both occasions he was rejected by the people 
(Luke 4. 28, 20--; Matt. 13, 57). 

3. Nain. This was a city southwest of the Sea of Galilee, 
where Jesus restored a young man to life (Luke 7. 11). 

4. The Mountain. A few miles from Capernaum and west of the 
Sea of Galilee is a mountain (probably Kurun Hattin, "the horns 
of Hattin ") where was delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 
5.- i)- 

5. Bethsaida, a place on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, 
east of the river Jordan. Near this was wrought the miracle of 
Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6. 45). 

6. Gergesa. A place on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, 
called also Gerasa (Mark 5. 1; Luke 8. 26. Rev. Ver.). 

7. Jerusalem. We read of one visit to the capital during this 
period (John 5. 1). 

III. The Early Galilean Ministry. 

1.) The Journeys. Combining the accounts in the four gospels 
we find that the journeys were the following: 

1.) The Settlement at Capernaum (Cana to Nazareth and Caper- 
naum). From Cana, where Jesus was at the close of the preceding 
period, he went to Nazareth (Luke 4. 16), probably intending to 
begin his ministry there ; but being rejected went down to Caper- 
naum and made it the headquarters of his ministry (Luke 4. 30,31). 

2.) Tour in Eastern Galilee (Capernaum, Eastern Galilee, and 
return). From Capernaum Jesus went forth on a preaching tour 
through the villages near the Sea of Galilee (Luke 4. 43, 44). 

3.) A Visit to Jerusalem (Capernaum to Jerusalem and return) . 
Mention is made in John 5. 1 of a feast in Jerusalem which Jesus 



42 



Outline Studies in the New Testament 



attended, but it is uncertain whether Passover, Tabernacles, or 
Purim is meant. 

4.) The Mountain Journey (Capernaum to the mountain and 
return). For the purpose of quiet meditation and the call of his 



YEA R OF POPULAR! TY 
PART ONE 

Capernaum^ 



Bethsa.ida. 




apostles Jesus went to a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. There 
he chose the twelve and gave to them and the multitudes around 
the Sermon on the Mount (Mark 3. 13, 14; Matt. 5. 1). 

IV. Events of the Early Galilean Ministry. 

1.) With the first Journey, the Settlement at Capernaum, we 
connect the following events: 

1. The Rejection at Nazareth (Luke 4. 16-30). 



The Year of Popularity 43 

2. The First Disciples Called (Luke 5. 1-11). They had 
already been followers of Jesus, but now were called upon 
to leave their homes and become his disciples. 

3. Miracles at Capernaum (Mark 1. 21-34). The gospel 
writers select the scenes of one day and show many mir- 
acles, in the synagogue, at Peter's house, and in the street. 

2.) With the Second Journey, the Tour in Eastern Galilee, we 
find two events named : 

4. Healing of the Leper (Mark 1. 40-45). This took place 

during the journey. 

5. Healing the .Paralytic (Mark 2. 1-12). This took place 

after the return to Capernaum. 
3.) With the Third Journey, the Visit to Jerusalem, we note 
two events: 

6. The Miracle at Bethesda (John 5. 1-16). Read this in 

the Rev. Ver. and note what is omitted. Observe 
also what resulted from this miracle in Jerusalem 
(John 5. 16-19). 

7. The Withered Hand (Mark 3. 1-6). This probably took 

place at Capernaum, soon after the return from Jeru- 
salem. 
4.) With the Fourth, the Mountain Journey, we note two 
events. 

8. The Call of the Twelve (Mark 3. 7-19). This was at the 

mountain. 

9. Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5.-7). This sermon is 

omitted in Mark and abbreviated in Luke, but 
reported fully in Matthew. 

To the Teacher 

1. Let the outline of the lesson be committed to memory. 

2. Let one scholar draw the maps in presence of the class, another insert 
the places, a third indicate and name the journeys. 

3. Then let one scholar name all the events with the first journey; another 
the events of the second journey, etc. 

4. Let a scholar be called upon to tell the story of each one of the nine 
events in the period. 



44 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

Blackboard Outline 

Part One 



I. Gen. Asp. i. Ti. 2. Loc. 3. Aim. 4. Act. 5. Div. 
II. Pla. 1. Cap. 2. Naz. 3. Nai. 4. Moun. . 5. Beth. 
6. Ger. 7. Jer. 

III. Ear. Gal. Min. Jour. 1. Set. Cap. 2. To. Ea. Gal. 

3. Vis. Jer. 4. Moun. Jour. 

IV. Events. Ear. Gal. Min. 

Jour. 1. 1. Rej.Naz. 2. Fir. Dis. Cal. 3 Mir. Cap. 
Jew. 2. 4. Heal Lep. 5. Heal Par. 
Jour. 3. 6. Mir. Beth. 7. With. Ha. 
Jow. 4. 8. Ca. Tw. 9. Ser. Mo. 



Questions for Review 

Part One 

How long was this period? Where was it passed? What was the aim of 
Jesus during this year? What are its two subdivisions? Name seven places 
visited by Jesus during this period. Name four journeys during the early 
part of this period. What three events are connected with the settlement at 
Capernaum ? What two events are named in connection with the tour in 
eastern Galilee? What two events are given with the visit to Jerusalem? 
What two events are named with the mountain journey? 

Part Two 

We now take up the second part of the Year of Popularity, from 
the Sermon on the Mount to the Discourse on the Bread of Life. 

V. The Journeys of the Later Galilean Ministry. 

1. Tour in Southern Galilee (Capernaum to Nain and return). 
From Capernaum Jesus.led his disciples southward as far as Nain 
(Luke 7. 1, 11). There he wrought a miracle, and on the journey 
homeward preached in various places (Luke 8.1). 
* 2 . The Voyage to Gergesa. (Capernaum to Gergesa and return.) 
With his disciples Jesus sailed across the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8. 22), 
stilling the tempest on the way. They landed at Gergesa, in the 
country of the Gadarenes (Luke 8, 26) — that is, not far from the 
well-known city of Gadara, which was twenty miles from the Sea of 



The Year of Popularity 



45 



Galilee. Here the Gadarene demoniac was restored, but the people 
were unwilling to receive Jesus, so he sailed back to Capernaum 
(Matt. 9. 1.) 

3. Tour in Central Galilee (Capernaum to Nazareth and return). 



YEAR Or POPULARITY 

PART TWO . 

Caperna 



A/a.in 



***L 




Bethsaida. 



The object of this journey was a second visit to Nazareth (Mark 6. 
1). but, like the first, it was unsuccessful; so Jesus left "his own 
country" and preached in the villages of central Galilee (Mark 6. 6) . 
4. Retirement to Bethsaida(Capernaum, Bethsaida, and return). 
In order to obtain needed rest and seclusion Jesus and his disciples 
sailed across the lake to the unsettled country near Bethsaida (Mark 
6. 31, 32). Here he wrought the miracle of Feeding the Five 
Thousand, recrossed the lake in the night, and a day or two afterward 
gave his last discourse of the Galilean ministry. 



46 Outline Studies in theNew Testament 

Let the pupil draw the same map as with Part One, but omitting 
the journeys of that part; and place upon the maps the journeys of 
the later Galilean ministry. 

VI. The Events of the Later Galilean Ministry. 

i.) With the First Journey, the Tour in Southern Galilee: 

i.) The Widow's Son Raised (Luke 7. 11-16). This took 
place at Nain, southwest of the Sea of Gaiilee. 

2.) Washing the Saviour's Feet (Luke 7. 36-50). This event 
is to be carefully distinguished from the "anointing by Mary," 
much later in the history. 

These two events are related only by Luke. 

2.) With the Second Journey, the Voyage to Gergesa: 

3.) Parables by the Sea (Mark 4. 1-34; alsoinMatt. 13. 1-52). 
These were given just before the journey. 
4.) Stilling the Tempest (Mark 4. 1-3 5-41). 
5.) The Gadarene Demoniac Restored (Mark 5. 1-20). 
6.) Jairus's Daughter Raised (Mark 5. 21-43). Two miracles 
wrought after the return from the Gadarene country. 
3). With the third Journey, the Tour in Central Galilee. 

7.) Second Rejection at Nazareth (Mark 6. 1-6). Compare 
with this the account of his former rejection, and note the 
differences. 
8.) Sending out the Twelve (Mark 6. 7-13). Read the longer 
report of the charge to the Twelve in Matt. 10. 
4.) With the Fourth Journey, the Retirement to Bethsaida: 
9.) Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6. 31-44). This and 
the following are the only miracles related in all the four 
gospels. Compare their accounts. 
10.) Walking on the Sea (Mark 6. 45-52). Note the ad- 
ditions in Matt. 14. 22-33). 
11.) Discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6. 24-59). This 
marked a crisis in his ministry, for it proclaimed a spiritual 
application of the miracle, and not a "kingdom of meat and 
drink," as men Avere expecting. Note the results (John 6. 
60-68) . Thus at the close of his Galilean ministry — as before 
at the close of his Judean ministry — the Saviour was left 
alone with his few disciples. 



The Year of Popularity 47 



Blackboard Outline 
Part Two 



V. Jour. Lat. Gal. Min. 1. To. Gal. 2. Voy. Ger. 3. To. 
Cen. Gal. 4. Ret. Beth. 
VI. Ev. Lat. Gal. Min.— 

Jour. 1. 1. Wid. So. Rai. 2. Wash. Sav. Fe. 
Jour. 2. 3. Par. Sea. 4. Still Tern. 5. Gad. Dem. 

Res. 6. Jai. Dau. Ra. 
/oser. 3. 7. Sec. Rej. Naz. 8. Sen. Twel. 
Jour. 4. 9. Fe. Fi. Th. 1.0 Wal. Sea. 11. Dis. Br. Li. 

* * 

Questions for Review 

Part Two 

[Review the Questions with Part One.] 
How many journeys are named with the later Galilean ministry? What 
was the first journey of the later Galilean ministry? The second journey? 
The third? The fourth? What two events took place with the tour in 
southern Galilee? What four events with the Gadarene voyage? What two 
events with the tour in Central Galilee? What three events with the retire- 
ment to Bethsaida? 



SEVENTH STUDY 

The Year of Opposition 

From the Retirement to Phoenicia to the Anointing by Mary 
Part One 

1 General Aspects of the Period. 

i It was a year, lacking one week. Jesus did not attend the 
third passover of his ministry. We find him at this time still in 
Galilee, and soon afterward leaving Galilee for ''the coasts of Tyre 
and Sidon " (John 7. 1-3 ; Mark 7. 24). Nearly a year later, on the 
week before the fourth passover, we find Jesus at Bethany, where 
the anointing by Mary took place (John 12. 1,2). Between these 
two passovers came the year of opposition. 

2 It was a year of wandering. During this period we notice 
that Jesus was in constant motion, staying only a little while at 
each place, and in succession visiting all the five provinces of Pales- 
tine. Notice the province referred to in each of the following ref- 
ences: John 7. 1.; Mark 7 31; Mark 8. 27; Luke 9. 51, 52; Mark 10. 
1 , John 10. 40. 

3 . It was a year of retirement* We do not find that Jesus sought 
the multitudes during this year, though in new places he was sought 
by them (Luke 11. 29512. i). He seems to have chosen most of the 
time a secluded life, preferring to be alone with his disciples. 
See instances in Mark 7. 24, 32, 33, 36; 8. 22, 23, 26; 9. 30. 

4 It was a year of instruction. He chose to be alone with his 
disciples, knowing that he was rapidly nearing the close of his life 
on earth ; and he wished to instruct his chosen followers in the deeper 
truths of the gospel before he should be taken from them. His 
teaching in this period presented the spiritual side of truth and the 
doctrines of the cross. Notice how often during this year he fore- 
told his own death (Mark 8. 31; 9. 31, 32; 10. 32-34; John 12. 
7 8). 

5. It was a year of opposition. Nearly all the people had now 



The Year of Opposition 49 

forsaken Jesus and turned against him. Note the attitude of the 
Pharisees. (Matt 12. 23, 24, 38, 39; 23. 23.) The Sadducees, who were 
the office-holding class, are mainly referred to in John n. 47, 48, 53. 
The attitude of the people. (John 6. 66.) Jesus was now rejected 
by the rulers, the leaders of the religious class, and by the people. 

II. The Localities of the Period, Beside the five provincess, 
Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Bashan and Peraea, two other lands or 
districts are named: 

1. Phoenicia, called in tne gospels "the borders of Tyre and 
Sidon," narrow strip ot territory between Mount Lebanon and 
the Mediterranean Sea, northwest of Palestine. 

2. Decapolis. The word means "ten cities," and refers to a 
region, partly in Bashan and partly in Peraea, wherein were ten 
important cities, not Jewish but Gentile. 

In addition to the above we meet with names of eight cities : 

3. Csesarea Philippi, at the foot of Mount Hermon, in the prov- 
ince of Bashan. 

- 4. Bethsaida, on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

5. Capernaum, on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

6. Bethabara, in the Jordan Valley, east of the river, south of the 
Sea of Galilee. 

7. Jericho, in the Jordan Valley, west of the river, near the head 
of the Dead Sea. 

8. Jerusalem, the capital. 

9. Bethany, two miles east of Jerusalem, on the eastern slope 
of the Mount of Olives. 

10. Eph'raim, or Ephron, fourteen miles north of Jerusalem, 
among the mountains. 

III. The Journeys and Events of the Period, The information 
upon this year is meager, and it is impossible to arrange its places, 
and facts with absolute certainty. No other period is so uncertain 
in the order of its events as this. We trace in this period nine 
journeys; and with each journey call attention to the most impor- 
tant events connected with it. The first journey begins at Caper- 
naum. 

1. A Visit to Phoenicia, (From Capernaum to Phoenicia.) (Matt. 
15. 21). This was the only land outside of Palestine visited by 
Jesus, and it is uncertain how far he entered within its limits. He 



5° 



Outline Studies in the NewTestament 



sought retirement and opportunity of instructing his disciples 
(Mark 7 24). 

On this journey was wrought the miracle on the Syrophenician 
"Woman s Daughter (Mark 7. 25,26), in which Jesus showed his dis- 
ciples that Gentiles may have true faith. 



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went around Galilee to Decapolis, east of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 
7- 3O. 



The Year of Opposition 51 

Here two miracles were wrought: 1.) Healing the Deaf Man. 
Notice its peculiarities in Mark 7. 32-37. 2.) Feeding the Foar 
Thousand (Mark 8. 1-9). Notice its differences from a former 
miracle in the preceding period. 

3. A Visit to Caesarea Philippi. (Decapolis to Dalmanutha, 
Bethsaida, and Caesarea Philippi.) Trace the route from Mark 8. 
10, 22, 27. 

During this journey occured four events: 1.) Healing the Blind 
Man (Mark 8. 22-26). This was at Bethsaida. 2.) Peter's Con- 
fession (Matt. 16. 13-20). 3.) The Transfiguration (Mark 9. 2-8). 
4.) Healing the Demoniac Boy (Mark 9. 14-29). These three 
events were at Caesarea Philippi. 

4. A Visit to Capernaum. (Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum.) 
(Mark 9. 33). Notice that his coming was unattended by the crowds 
of former times (Mark 9. t,^) . This visit is noteworthy as his fare- 
well to the city which had been his home. 

On this visit took place the touching incident of the Child in the 
Midst (Mark 9. 36, 37). 

Part Two 

5. A Visit to Jerusalem. (Capernaum, through Samaria, to 
Jerusalem.) See Luke 9. 51,52. His visit to the capital was for 
the purpose of attending the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7. 2,10,14) 
and he seems to have remained until the Feast of Dedication, two 
months later. 

In connection with this visit note, 1.) The Rejection by Samaritans 
(Luke 9. 52-56). 2.) Mary and Martha (Luke 10. 38-42). 3.) 
The Pool of Siloam (John 9. 1-7). 4.) The Good Shepherd (John 
10. 1-18). 

6. A Visit to Bethabara. (Jerusalem to Bethabara.) From 
the Feast of Dedication Jesus went down to Bethabara, evidently 
with the purpose of beginning a ministry in Peraea (John 10. 39,40). 

With this journey we place Sending out the Seventy (Luke 10. 
1) . These messengers were sent out to prepare for the visit of Jesus 
to a new province. 

7. A visit to Bethany (John 11. 1,7.) From Bethabara Jesus 
was suddenly called to Bethany, near Jerusalem (John 11. 18). 

With this visit we place the Raising of Lazarus (John 11. 1-46), 



52 



Outline Studies in the NewTestament 



a miracle narrated only by John, and told because it led directly to 
the conspiracy against the life of Jesus (John n. 47,48). 

8.. A Visit to Persea. (From Bethany to Ephraim and Persea.) 
Trace the journey from John 11. 54, and Mark 10. 1 . Jesus stayed 
some months in Peraea, preaching to his people. 

Many events might be given with this Persean ministry, of which 
we name only, 1.) Blessing the Children (Mark 10. 13-16). 2.) 
The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10. 17-25). 3.) Parable of the Prod- 
igal Son (Luke 15. 11-32). 

9. A Second Visit to Bethany. (From Perrea, through Jericho, 
to Bethany.) Notice the journey in Mark 10. 32,46; John 12. 1. 

With this journey notice the events, 1.) The Healing of Bar- 
timaeus (Mark 10. 46, 52). 2.) The Visit to Zacchaeus (Luke 19. 1-10). 
3.) The Anointing by Mary (John 12. 1-8). This brings the life of 
Christ within one week of the Crucifixion, and completes the period. 

Blackboard Outline 



* 







I. 


Gen. Asp. i.Year. 2. Wan. 3. Ret. 4. Ins. 5. Opp.- 


II. 


Loc. Pen La. Ph. Dec. Cit. C. P. B. C. B. J. J. B. E. 


III. 


Jour. 1. Vis. Phoe. 1.) Syr. Worn. Dau. 




2. 


Vis. Dec. 1.) He. De. M. 2.) Fe. Fou. Thou. 




3- 


Vis. Ces. Phil. 1.) Hea. Bl. M. 2.) Pet. Con. 
3.) Trans. 4.) Hea. Dem. B. 




4- 


Vis. Cap. 1.) Ch. Mid. 




5- 


Vis. Jer. 1.) Rej. Sam. 2.) M. and M. 3.) P. Sil. 
4.) G. Sh. 




6. 


Vis. Beth. 1.) Sen. 70. 




7- 


Vis. Beth. 1.) Rai. Laz. 




8. 


Vis.Per. i.)Bl.Ch. 2.)R.Yo. Ru. 3 .)Par. Prod. So. 




9- 


Sec. Vis. Beth. 1.) Hea. Bar. 2.) Vis. Zac. 
3.) Anoin. Ma. 


^ 




j 



Review Question 

With what event does the Year of Opposition begin? With what does it 
end? How long was it? Where was it passed? How did it differ from the 
preceding year? Why did Jesus seek retirement at this time? What was the 
feeling of the people toward Jesus? What land outside of Palestine was 
visited by Jesus? What miracle was wrought during this visit? Where was 



The Year of Opposition 53 

the Second Journey of this Period? What two miracles were wrought at this 
time? What was the Third Journey? Name four events connected with 
this journey. What was the Fourth Journey? The Fifth Journey? Name 
four events with this journey. Where did Jesus go for the Sixth Journey? 
Whom did he send out at this time, and for what purpose? What was the 
place and what the purpose of the Seventh Journey? Where was the Eighth 
Journey 1 What took place with this journey? What was the Ninth Journey? 
Name three events of this journey. 



EIGHTH STUDY 
The Week of the Passion 

From the Triumphal Entry Until the Agony in the Garden 

I. General View of the Period, 

i . Our studies have now reached the close of the Saviour's min- 
istry and have brought us to his last visit to Jerusalem* This 
period presents the last appeal of Jesus to the Jewish people and 
his final conversations with his disciples before his death. 

2 Strictly speaking, "the week of the passion" or suffering of 
Jesus should include all the events from his Triumphal Entry into 
Jerusalem on Sunday until his burial on Friday evening But the 
events of the day of his crucifixion were so many and so important 
as to make that day a period by itself, and we therefore consider 
at present only five days, from the Sunday morning to the Thurs- 
day night of the Jewish Passover, the night before the Saviour's 
crucifixion. 

3. All its events took place in or near Jerusalem. On each 
morning Jesus went from Bethany, where he remained at night with 
his friends, the household of Mary and Martha; and on each even- 
ing except the last he returned to Bethany. The days were mostly 
spent in Jerusalem. 

II. In the study of this period we note the following Places: 

1 . Bethany, a small village on the eastern slope of the Mount, of 
Olives. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John n. 
1). Its distance from Jerusalem (John 11. 18). The lodging place 
of Jestis at this time (Matt. 21. 17). 

2. The Temple in Jerusalem. Here Jesus passed most of the 
time during the first three days of this week in discussion with the 
Jews (Luke 21. 37). The part of the temple in which Jesus taught 
(John 8. 20; Mark 12. 41). This was the Court of the Women, 
called "the treasury" because of boxes for contributions upon 
its walls. It was inside the larger Court of the Gentiles, and was 

54 



The Week of the Passion 55 

about two hundred and thirty feet square, open above to the sky, 
but with galleries around. 

3. The Supper room. See Mark 14. 13-17. The place is un- 
known ; but there is on Mount Zion a locality pointed out by tradi- 
tion which may or may not be correct. This was probably the 
"upper room" used as a meeting place after the Resurrection and 
Ascension (John 20. 19; Acts 1. 13; 2. 1). 

4. The Mount of Olives. This is a range of hills east of Jerusa- 
lem and separated from the Temple by the Valley of the Kedron 
(John 18. 1). Its distance from the city (Acts 1. 12). Here began 
the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19. 37). From this height Jesus gave 
his prophecy of the destruction of the city (Mark 13. 3,4). 

5. The Garden of Gethsemane. The word means "oil-press," 
and suggests that it was an olive orchard on the western slope of the 
Mount of Olives (Mark 14. 26, 32). A garden is still shown which 
may be the true locality of the Agony. 

Let the student draw a map of Jerusalem and its surroundings 
"and locate upon it the above places, not failing to search out the 
references and associate the events with their localities. 

III. We draw on our map and fix in our memory the following 
Journeys : 

1. On Sunday, the First Journey; from Bethany to the Temple 
and Return. On the first day of the week Jesus left Bethany, en- 
tered in triumphal procession into Jerusalem, looked around on the 
Temple, and at evening returned to Bethany. 

2. On Monday, the Second Journey; from Bethany to the Tem- 
ple and Return. Early in the morning, without waiting for break- 
fast, Jesus left Bethany (Mark n. 12), and crossed the ridge of the 
Mount of Olives, on the way cursing the barren fig tree. He cleansed 
the Temple of its traders, and at evening returned again to Bethany 
(Mark 11. 19). 

3. On Tuesday, the Third Journey; from Bethany to the Temple 
and Return. This was the last day of Christ's public teaching, clos- 
ing with a terrible denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees. 
Toward evening he went out of the Temple for the last time, sat 
upon the Mount of Olives with his disciples, and gave to them his 
prediction of the destruction of the city (Mark 13. 1-4). 

4. On Thursday afternoon, the Fourth Journey J from Bethany 



56 Outline Studies in theNewTestament 

to the Supper room* Take notice that no journey or event is 
named by any evangelist as taking place on Wednesday. Probably 
the day was passed in seclusion and meditation, for no conversa- 
tions with disciples are recorded. On Thursday afternoon Jesus 
with his disciples left Bethany and walked over the mountain and 
the valley to Jerusalem (Mark 14. 16, 17), where they celebrated 
the passover and partook of the Last Supper together. Afterward 
came the long conversations recorded in John 13 to 17. 

5. On Thursday, at about midnight, the Fifth Journey; from 
the Supper room to Gethsemane. The Saviour and his eleven dis- 
ciples went from the supper room into the silent streets of Jerusalem, 
through the gate, and into the valley of Kedron. They crossed 
the brook and entered the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Agony 
took place, and immediately after it the Arrest (John 18. 1). 

IV. We now pass in order the Events of these five days: 

1. The Triumphal Entry, (Sunday.) (Mark 11. 1-10.) Com- 
pare the accounts and note the additions made by John. (John 
12. 12-16.) 

2. The Barren Fig tree* (Monday.) (Mark 11. 12-14.) This 
was not a wanton or petulant act of cursing. The tree was a vivid 
picture of the Jewish state, bearing leaves but no fruit, and the mir- 
acle was wrought as a warning of impending doom. 

3. Cleansing the Temple, (Monday.) (Mark 11. 15-17.) Once 
before, in the beginning of his ministry, Jesus had purged the Tem- 
ple (John 2. 13-16). But the former abuses had crept in again, 
and Christ again proclaimed his authority in his Father's house. 

4. The Last Discourses. (Tuesday.) (Mark n. 27; 12. 44.) 
On this day Jesus met and vanquished in debate successively the 
rulers (Mark 1 1 . 27-33) ; the Pharisees (Mark 12. 1-12 ; Matt. 21. 45) 
the Herodians (Mark 12. 13-17); the Sadducees (Mark 12. 18-27); 
and the scribes (Mark 12. 28-37). He closed his ministry with a 
rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23. 1-39); and after 
commending the gift of the widow (Mark 12. 41-44) went out of 
the Temple, never to return (Mark 13. 1,2.) 

5 . The Prophecy of the Last Things. (Tuesday.) In the after- 
noon of that day Jesus sat with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, 
and looking down upon the city gave a prophecy to his disciples, 
mingling the predictions of the city's overthrow and of the end of 



The Week of the Passion 57 

the world (Mark 13. 1-37). In Matthew are added two parables — 
the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25. 1-13), and the Talents (Matt. 25. 14-30), 
and also the description of the Last Judgment (Matt. 25. 31-46). 

6. The Retirement at Bethany* (Wednesday.) Inasmuch as 
none of the gospels mention any event of Wednesday we assume 
that the day was passed in retirement. 

7. The Last Supper* (Thursday.) On the afternoon of Thurs- 
day Jesus went to Jerusalem with the Twelve, partook of the Pass- 
over, and at its close instituted the Lord's Supper (Mark 14. 12-31). 

8. The Last Conversation. (Thursday evening.) (John 14 to 18.) 
After the Supper the long conversation took place recorded in full 
by John, and scarcely mentioned in the other gospels. 

9. The Agony in the Garden. (Thursday, midnight.) Late at 
night Jesus crossed the brook Kedron and entered the Garden of 
Gethsemane, where the Agony came upon him (Mark 14. 32-42). 

Blackboard Outline 

The Week of the Passion 



I. Gen. Vi. 1. La. Vis. Jer. 2. Fi. D.a 3. Ne. Jer. 
II. Pla. i.Beth. 2. Tern. 3. Sup. -ro. 4. Mo. OH. 5 Gar.Geth. 
III. Jour. 1. (Sun.) Be. Tem. Re. 2. (Mon.) Be. Tern. 

Re. 3. (Tu.) Be. Tem. Re. 4. (Thu.) Be. Sup.-ro. 

5. (Thu.) Sup.-ro. Geth. 
IV. Events. 1. Tri. Ent. (Sun.) 2. Bar. Fig. tr. (Mon.) 

3. CI. Tem. (Mon.) 4. La. Dis. (Tue.) 5. Pro. La. Th. 

(Tue.) 6. Ret. Beth. (Wed.) 7. La. Sup. (Thu.) 

8. .La. Con. (Thu.) 9. Ag. Gar. (Thu.) 



Questions for Review 

Where *did the events of this period take place? Between what days did 
they occur? In what village did Jesus pass most of the nights of this week? 
Where was the Last Supper partaken? Where did Jesus begin his triumphal 
entry into the city? What journey took place on the Sunday of this week? 
On Monday? On Tuesday? On Thursday afternoon? Name the events 
of Sunday: Of Monday. Of Tuesday; Of Wednesday. Of Thursday. 



NINTH STUDY 
The Day of the Crucifixion 

From the Betrayal to the Burial of Jesus 

1. General View of the Period* 

i . This period embraces the events of but one day in the life of 
Jesus. It was the day following the Passover Day, and therefore the 
fifteenth of the month Nisan, in the Jewish year. See Num. 28. 16. 

The betrayal of Jesus -took place a little after midnight, on Fri- 
day morning, and the burial about sunset on the same day; so that 
the transactions of the period include about eighteen hours. 

2. It was, however, an eventful day in the life of Jesus. No day 
in all Bible story is narrated with the fullness of this day. Nearly 
one-twelfth of the matter in the four gospels is occupied with the 
account of this one day. If the whole story of Christ's life were 
written out with equal completeness to this one day's record it 
would require more than four hundred volumes as large as the New 
Testament. 

3. It was an important day; the most important in the history 
of the world. Notice in the epistles how much more is said of the 
death of Christ than of his life. See 1 Cor. 2. 2 ; Gal. 6. 14; 1 John 
1. 7. Because of its eventfulness and importance we should give 
it careful study and place in order its events as a separate period in 
the life of Jesus Christ. 

II The Places. All these are in or near Jerusalem; but none 
of them can be identified with certainty. Yet it is well to know 
the traditional localities and to fix them upon the map of the city. 
There are five places named in the story of this day. 

1. The Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus was arrested, im- 
mediately after the agony (Mark 14. 43). See the mention of this 
locality in the last study. 

2. The High Priest's House (Mark 14. 53, 54). The high priest 
at that time was Caiaphas, but his father-in-law, Annas, who had 
been deposed by the Romans, was still regarded by the Jews as the 

58 



The Day of the Crucifixion 59 

legitimate priest, and possessed great authority. There was no 
special "palace" of the high priest, and Annas and Caiaphas may- 
have lived in the same group of buildings. The place is located 
by tradition on Mount Zion, near that of the supper room. 

3. Pilate's Palace (Mark 15. 1-16). The Roman capital of Judea 
was not in Jerusalem, but at Csesarea, where the procurator resided 
(Acts 23. 23, 24). But it was customary for the governor to visit 
Jerusalem at the time of Passover, in order to quell any dis- 
turbance at that time, when the city was thronged. Pilate may 
have made his headquarters in Jerusalem either in the castle of 
Antonia, north of the temple (referred to in Acts 21. 34, and else- 
where) , or in the palace of Herod the Great on the northwest corner 
of Mount Zion, the place now occupied by the (so-called) Tower of 
David. The latter locality is accepted by the best of the recent 
authorities. Here Jesus was brought for his trial and sentence by 
Pontius Pilate. 

4. Herod's Palace. At that time Herod Antipas, tetrarch of 
Galilee and Perasa (Luke 3. 1), the slayer of John the Baptist, was 
present in Jerusalem attending the Passover, and to him Jesus was 
sent by Pilate (Luke 23. 7). His abiding place was probably the 
old Maccabean palace, about midway between the temple and 
Pilate's headquarters. 

5. Calvary or Golgotha* See Luke 23. 33 and Mark 15, 22 for 
the two names, one of which is Greek, the other Hebrew, both mean- 
ing "skull-like" or "the place of skulls." All positively known 
about this, place is that it was outside the wall, but near the city 
(John 19. 20). Two localities are given: the traditional one, north 
of Zion and west of the temple, now occupied by the Church of the 
Holy Sepulcher ; the other, recently coming into notice and accepted 
by many scholars, a hill on the north of the city, containing a great 
cave known as the "Grotto of Jeremiah." We adopt the latter 
place as Calvary, although the evidence is by no means certain. 
The place of the cross and that of the burial were in the same locality 
(John 19. 41, 42). 

It would be well for the student to draw a rough diagram show- 
ing these places in their general relation to each other, as above. 

III. We notice the Journeys of Jesus on the day of his 
crucifixion. 



60 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

i. From Gethsemane to the High Priest's House. From the 
Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was taken to the high priest's house 
for examination before Annas and Caiaphas (Luke 22. 54.) 

2. From the High Priest's House to Pilate's Palace. After ex- 
amination before the high priests and the Jewish council Jesus was 
led to Pilate for another trial (Luke 23. 1) . 



Calvary 

Q 



1/ 



w 



Gethsemzne 



PUate's ^''' Temple U 

Palace..-'' J 

\*"d Return ^f> a l dc & ! 

SV 



■V 



Nigh Priests 
Mouse 



3. From Pilate's Palace to Herod's Palace and return. Pilate 
sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; but Herod was un- 
willing to pass judgment upon him and sent him back (Luke 23. 
7-11). 

4- From Pilate's Palace to Calvary. At this second appear- 
ance before Pilate Jesus was condemned to death, and was taken to 
Calvary, outside the wall. Here he was crucified and after his death 
was buried (John 19. 16, 17, 41). 



The Day of the Crucifixion 6i 

Let the student draw on the diagram a line representing each of 
these journeys and recall the events associated with them. 

In Jerusalem, at the present time, there is a street known as Via 
Dolorosa, "the Sorrowful Way," over which Jesus is believed to 
have carried his cross from Pilate's judgment hall to Calvary. But 
in our view both Pilate's judgment hall and Calvary are wrongly 
located by tradition, and therefore this path cannot be the true 
"way of the cross. " 

IV. The Events. We may group all the transactions of this 
momentous day around eleven leading events : 

i. The Betrayal (Mark 14. 43-50). This was in the Garden of 
Gethsemane, a little after midnight, and, therefore, on Friday, the 
15th of Nisan. See the more detailed account in John 18. 1-11. 

2. Jesus before Annas (John 18. 12, 13). This was a prelimi 
nary examination, and not official in its character. 

3. Jesus before Caiaphas (John 18. 24). Read the account of 
the event in Mark 14. 53-72. By comparing the four accounts we 
find that there was first an examination before the high priest and 
such of the council as could be gathered (Mark 14. 55), and then 
later a trial before the entire Sanhedrin, or body of the elders (Luke 

22, 66), at which Jesus was condemned to death. Peter's denial 
took place in the house of the high priest (John 18. 24, 25). 

4- Jesus before Pilate. The Jews had no power to sentence to 
death, and hence were compelled to bring Jesus before Pilate (John 
18. 28-32). Notice that the Jews condemned Jesus on one ground, 
but accused him before Pilate on another (Matt. 26. 65, 66; Luke 

23. 2). The dialogue of Pilate with Jesus is given in John 18. 29- 
37. Pilate declared Christ's innocence and proposed that he 
should be released, but the people still demanded that he should 
be put to death. 

5. Jesus before Herod. Pilate was unwilling to take the re- 
sponsibility either of putting to death an innocent man or of offend- 
ing the Jews by releasing him. He therefore sent him to Herod. 
But Herod also refused to judge the case and after mocking Jesus 
sent him back to Pilate (Luke 23. 6-1 1). 

6. Jesus Condemned to Death. After Jesus was brought back 
Pilate still endeavored to save his life. But instead of setting him 
free at once as an innocent man he proposed to release him as an act 



62 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

of good feeling at the Passover festival. The Jews chose Barabbas 
and rejected Jesus; and at last Pilate gave unwilling sentence that 
Jesus should be crucified. He was then delivered to the soldiers to 
be mocked and tortured (Luke 23. 13-25). 

7. Jesus Bearing his Cross. On the way from Pilate's palace to 
Calvary Jesus was compelled to carry one of the beams of his own 
cross (John 19. 17). A part of the way his cross was carried by a 
man named Simon, of Cyrene, in Africa (Mark 15. 21). 

8. Jesus on the Cross. At Calvary Jesus was fastened to the 
cross by nails through his hands and feet (Luke 23. 33 ; John 20. 25). 
He was crucified at nine o'clock in the morning and lived until three 
o'clock in the afternoon (Mark 15. 25-34). The stupefying potion 
offered to him before he was crucified (Mark 15. 23). Note the 
four versions of the superscription (Matt. 27. 37; Mark 15 26 ; Luke 
2 3- 38; John 19. 19). The witnesses (John 19. 25). 

9. The Seven "Words from the Cross. The first word (Luke 23. 
34). The second word (John 19. 26, 27). The third word (Luke 
23. 43). The fourth word (Matt. 27. 46). The fifth word (John 
19. 28). The sixth word (John 19. 30). The seventh word (Luke 
23. 46). 

10. The Death on the Cross. The fact (Mark 15. 37). A re- 
markable testimony (Mark 15. 39). A remarkable event (Matt. 27. 
51-53). An evidence of his death (John 19. 32-35). 

11. The Burial. Why the body was taken away (John 19. 31). 
How it was obtained (John 19. 38). The preparation (John 19. 39, 
40). The place of burial (Matt. 27. 59, 60). The witnesses (Matt. 
27. 61). The sealing of the tomb (Matt. 27. 62-66). 

Blackboard Outline 

Day of Crucifixion 



I. Gen. Vie. 1. On. Da. 2. Ev. Da. 3. Imp. Da. 
II. Pla. 1. Gar. Geth. 2. H. P. Ho. 3. Pil. Pal. 
4. Her. Pal. 5. Cal. Gol. 

III. Jour. 1. Geth. H.-p. Ho. 2. H.-p Ho. Pil. Pal. 

3. Pil. Pal. Her. Pal. Re. 4. Pil. Pal. Calv. 

IV. Events. 1. Betr. 2. J. bef. Ann. 3. J. bef. Cai. 4. J. 

bef. Pil. 5. J. bef. Her. 6. J. Con. Dea. 7. J. Bear. 
Cro. 8. J. on Cro. 9. Sev.Wo. Cro. 10. De.Cro. 11. Bur. 



-* 



The Day of the Crucifixion 63 

Questions for Review 

How long was this period? What was its date in the Jewish year? What 
shows that it was an eventful day? Why was this the most important day 
in the world's history? What are the five places named in this period? State 
the probable location of each place. Name four journeys of this period. 
Name eleven events of this period. Before what rulers was Jesus brought 
for examination or trial? State the seven utterances of Jesus on the cross. 
What took place at the moment of Jesus's death? Why was the body buried 
so soon? Why was the tomb sealed? Who witnessed the burial? 



TENTH STUDY 
The Forty Days of Resurrection 

From the Resurrection to the Ascension of Christ 

1. The Necessity of Christ's Resurrection. Strange as the res- 
urrection may appear to men in general, and unexpected as it was 
to the disciples of Jesus, it was the necessary completion of his 
work on earth. 

i. It was necessary from the nature of Christ. A divine man, 
it was impossible that he should be held in the grave (Acts 2. 24). 
His resurrection showed that he was the Son of God (Rom. 1.4). 

2. It was necessary for the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus him- 
self declared that the prophecies pointed to his resurrection (Luke 
24. 45, 46). The apostles constantly appealed to the Old Testa- 
ment prophecies (Acts 13. 34, 35; 26. 22, 23; 1 Cor. 15. 4). 

3 . It was necessary for the work of redemption. He lived as our 
example, and he must appear before God as our high priest and 
mediator (Rom. 4. 25; 8. 34; 1 Cor. 15. 17). 

4. It was necessary for the faith of the disciples. If Christ had 
not risen the world would never have heard of his life and the 
church would never have existed (1 Cor. 15. 19, 20; 1 Pet. 1. 3). 

5. It was necessary to attest Christ's authority. But for the 
resurrection the name of Jesus could have possessed no more 
weight than any other name. Raised from the dead he has all 
power (Matt. 28. 18; Acts 13. 33517. 31). 

6. It was' necessary as a pledge of our resurrection. If Christ 
rose we too shall rise (Acts 26. 2351 Cor. 15. 12,20-23). 

II. The Fact of Christ's Resurrection. 

1. It was proved by the testimony of witnesses. See Acts 1. 3 ; 
2 . 32. The conduct of the disciples before and after the resurrec- 
tion was in itself a proof. Before they were in sorrow (Mark 16. 10 ; 
Luke 24. 17). Afterward they were glad (Luke 24. 52; John 20. 
20) . The Christian Church to-day is the best evidence ; for without 
the resurrection it could never have been established. 

64 



The Forty Days of Resurrection 65 

2. It was effected by the power of God. (Acts 3. 15; Rom. 8. 
11 , Eph. 1. 20). Jesus speaks of his own power in connection with 
this (John 2. ig ; 10. 18) . The Holy Spirit is also mentioned as rais- 
ing Christ from the dead (1 Peter 3. 18). 

3. It took place on the first day of the week. (Mark 16. 9). In 
commemoration of this event the first day of the week was observed 
by the early Church (Acts 20. 7; 1 Cor. 16. 2). The name given 
to this day (Rev. 1. 10). 

4. It took place on the third day after his death. The body of 
Jesus was in the grave between thirty and thirty-six hours — from 
sunset on Friday to daybreak on Sunday. But in the Jewish nota- 
tion of time this was three days (Luke 24. 46; Acts 10. 40; 1 Cor. 
IS- 4)- 

III. The Ten Appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection. It 
is not easy, perhaps not possible, to harmonize precisely all the 
accounts in the gospels and in 1 Cor. 15. 4-7. But the best 
authorities unite [in the following order of the manifestations of 
Christ between the resurrection and the ascension : 

1 . To Mary Magdalene (Mark 16. 9) . This was at the sepulcher, 
very soon after the resurrection. Several women went to the 
sepulcher, found it open, and were told by an angel that Jesus had 
risen. They went to bear the news to the disciples (Mark 16. 1-8; 
Matt. 28. 1-8; Luke 24. 1-10). Mary Magdalene returned after 
the rest had gone and saw the risen Lord (John 20. 1-18). Notice 
that this Mary is to be carefully distinguished from Mary of 
Bethany, John 11. 2, and from the unnamed woman in Luke 7. 37. 

2. To the other women (Matt. 28. 9). This was near the sepul- 
cher, a few minutes later than the first appearance. The names of 
these women (Mark 16. 1; Luke 24. 10). 

3. To two disciples (Luke 24. 13-32). The place where Jesus 
was revealed (Luke 24. 13). The name of Luke's probable inform- 
ant Luke 24. 18). 

4- To Peter (Luke 24. 33, 34; 1 Cor. 15. 5). This was in Jeru- 
salem. What took place at this meeting has not been revealed. 

5. To ten disciples (Luke 24. 36-43). Another account in John 
20. 19-25. This was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where the 
Last Supper had been partaken, and it was on the evening of the 
day of resurrection. 



66 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

6. To eleven disciples (John 20. 26-29). This was in the same 
place a week later. 

7. To seven* disciples at the Sea of Galilee (John 21. 1-22). At 
this interview Peter was reinstated in his apostleship. 

8. To five hundred disciples (1 Cor. 15. 6) . This was the official 
manifestation of Christ appointed before his death (Matt. 26. 32 ; 28. 
16). It took place "on the mountain" (Rev. Ver.), probably 
where the Sermon on the Mount was preached. At this time the 
great commission was given (Matt. 28. 18-20). 

9. To James ( 1 Cor. 15. 7). Nothing is known about this meet- 
ing. The relationship of James to Jesus (Mark 6. 3; Gal. 1. 19). 
Allusions to him in Acts 1 5 . 13; 21. 18. His epistle (James 1. 1). 
Probably this appearance was in Jerusalem (Acts 1 . 14). 

10. The Ascension (Luke 24. 50-53; Acts 1. 9). This was at 
Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1. 12). 
The promise at his departure (Acts 1. 10, 11). 

This list of appearances should be carefully memorized and the 
place of each noted on the map, with its circumstances and events. 

IV. The Traits of the Risen Christ. There were some respects 
in which Jesus after his resurrection was the same as he had been 
before; but there were also some essential differences. 

1. He was the very same Jesus. It was not a spirit, a disem- 
bodied ghost, which appeared to the disciples. He possessed per- 
sonal identity, and was the living one whom the disciples had known 
before. See Luke 24. 39, 40; John 20. 27. 

2. He appeared only occasionally. He did not come to remain 
with his people, for it was better for them that he should go away 
(John 16. 7). He manifested himself after his resurrection often 
enough to strengthen faith, but not enough to lead his disciples 
to lean upon his presence." 

3. He appeared to his disciples only (Acts 10. 40, 41). Why he 
did not appear to unbelievers (Luke 16. 31). His personal min- 
istry was ended, and henceforth he was to speak to men through 
his messengers (2 Cor. 5. 19, 20). 

4. He possessed a spiritual body. There is a spiritual body 
(1 Cor. 15. 40-44). Christ possessed such a body, uncontrolled by 

-physical law, but dominated by the spirit. He came and went at 
will (Luke 24. 36; John 20. 19). He withheld himself from recog- 



The Forty Days of Resurrection 



6 7 



nition or permitted it as he chose (Luke 24. 15, 16; 24. 30, 31; 
John 20. 14-16; 21. 4-7). With us the body limits the spirit; with 
him the spirit controlled the body. 

5. He recognized individuals after his resurrection. The grave 
had not blotted out his memory of the past nor of his personal regard 
for people. He called his friends by name after his resurrection 
(Matt. 28. 10; John 20. 16; 20. 26; 21. 15). He showed the same 
spirit of affection, of tenderness, and of patience with the mistakes 
of his followers as he had shown during his earthly life. His gentle- 
ness toward a sorrowing woman (John 20. 11-15). His kindness 
toward a doubting disciple (John 20. 24-29). His forgiveness of a 
denying disciple (John 21. 15-19). Such were the traits which he 
bore away from earth, and such are the traits which he bears still 
on his throne. 

Blackboard Outline 
The Forty Days of Resurrection 



I. Nee. Chr. Res, 1. Nat. Ch. 2. Ful. pro. 3. Wo. red. 

4. Fai. dis. 5. Att. Chr. auth. 6. PI. ou. res. 
II. Fac. Chr. Res. 1. Pro. tes. wit. 2. Eff. pow. G. 3. Fir. 

da. we. 4. Th. d. af. de. 

III. Ten. App. Je. af. Res. 1. Ma. Mag. [Sep.] 2. Oth. 
worn. [Sep.] 3. Tw. dis. [Emm.] 4. Pet. [Jer.] 

5. Ten dis. [Jer | 6. Elev. dis. [Jer.] 7. Sev. dis. 
[Sea Gal.] 8. Fiv. hum dis. [Mt. Gal.] 9. Jas. [Jer.[ 
19. Asc. LBeth.J 

IV. Tra. Ris. Chr. 1. Ver. sa. Jes. 2. Ap. on occ. 3. To 
dis. on. 4. Pos. spir. bod. 5. Rec. ind. 

* . * 

Questions for Review 

Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ a necessity? What proves the 
fact of the resurrection ? How was the resurrection effected ? When did it 
take place? How long after the death of Jesus was his resurrection? How 
many times did Jesus appear after his resurrection? To whom did he appear 
first? What were the circumstances of this appearance? What were the five 
appearances on the day of resurrection? Name the instances when Jesus 
appeared during the forty days after the resurrection day. What were the 
traits of the risen Christ? What was the nature of his body after his resur- 
rection? 



ELEVENTH STUDY 
The New Testament World 

We have seen that the life of Jesus Christ while on earth was 
limited to the land of Palestine. But in a few years the church 
founded by his apostles overstepped the boundaries of that land; 
and its scope became world-wide. Therefore as we begin the 
history of the Early Church it becomes necessary for us to study the 
New Testament "World. 

Comparing the maps before us with that of the Old Testament 
World we find that in the four centuries between the events of the 
Old and New Testaments the dominion of the world passed from 
Asia to Europe, and Jerusalem, which had been in the center, 
became one of the cities upon the extreme east. Hence our map 
moves with the course of the empire westward a thousand miles. 

1. We draw the outlines of the most important Seas. These 
are: 

i . The Mediterranean Sea, from its eastern limits as far west as 
Italy. Voyages on it are referred to in Acts 9. 30; 13. 4; 21. 1, 2; 

2 7- 3- 

2. The Sea of Galilee, associated with the life of Christ. Find 
its three different names in Matt. 15. 29; John 6. 1 ; Luke 5. 1. 

3 . The Dead Sea, not named in the New Testament. 

4. The Black Sea, north of Asia Minor. 

5. The JEgean Sea, between Asia Minor and Greece. Voyages 
upon it (Acts 16. 11 ; 18.18; 20.13-15). 

6. The Adriatic Sea, between Greece and Italy (Acts 27. 27). 
II. In these seas are many Islands, of which we name five of 

the most noteworthy in New Testament history : 

1. Cyprus, in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean (Acts 

4- 3 6 ; 13- 4)- 

2. Crete, south of the ^Egean Sea, between Asia Minor and 
Greece (Acts 27. 7; Titus 1.5). 



The New Testament World 



6 9 



3. Patmos, in the JEgean Sea, not far from Ephesus (Rev. 1.9). 
4- Sicily, southwest of Italy (Acts 28. 12). 
5. Melita, now Malta, south of Sicily (Acts 28. 1). 
III. We locate the different Provinces, arranging them in four 
groups. 




1. Those on the continent of Europe are : 1.) Thrace. 2.) Mace- 
donia (Acts 14. 9, 10; 20. 1-3). 3.) Greece, also called Achaia 
(Acts 18. 12; 20. 3). 4.) Illyricum (Rom. 15. 19). 5.) Italy 
(Acts 27, 1). 



yo Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

2. Those on the continent of Africa are: i.) Africa Proper. 
2.) Libya (Acts 2. 10) 3.) Egypt (Matt. 2. 13). 

3. Those on the continent of Asia, exclusive of Asia Minor, are: 
1 .) Arabia, perhaps referring to the desert region southeast of Pales- 
tine (Gal. 1. 17). 2.) Jttdea, the Jewish name for all Palestine, in 
the New Testament period (Luke 1. 5). 3) Phoenicia (Mark 7. 24; 
Acts 15. 3; 21. 2). 4.) Syria, north of Palestine (Acts 15. 41; 
20. 3). 

4. The provinces in Asia Minor are so frequently mentioned in the 
Acts and Epistles that it is necessary for the student to learn their 
names and locations. We divide the fourteen provinces into fou r 
groups 

(a) Three on the Black Sea, beginning on the east. 1.) Pontus 
(Acts 18. 2). 2.) Paphlagonia. ,3.) Bithynia (Peter 1. 1). 

(6) Three on the ^Egean Sea, beginning on the north. 4.) 
Mysia (Acts 16. 7). 5.) Lydia. 6.) Caria* These three prov- 
inces together formed the district known as "Asia" (Acts 2. 
9; 19. 10). 

(c) Three on the Mediterranean Sea, beginning on the west. 7.) 
Lycia (Acts 27. 5). 8.) Pamphylia (Acts 13. 13). 9.) Cilicia 
(Acts 21. 39). 

(d) Five in the interior. 10.) On the north, Galatia (Gal. 1. 2). 
11.) On the east, Cappadocia (Acts 2.9). 12.) On the southeast, 
Lycaonia (Acts 14.6). 13.) On the southwest, Pisidia (Acts 
13. 14). 14.) On the west Phrygia (Acts 16. 6). 

IV. We notice the twelve most important Places. 

1 . Alexandria, the commercial metropolis of Egypt (Acts 18. 24) . 

2. Jerusalem, the religious capital of the Jewish world (Matt. 
4. 5; Luke 24.47). 

3. Csesarea, the Roman capital of Judea (Acts 10. 1; 23. 23, 24). 

4. Damascus, in the southern part of Syria (Acts 19. 3). 

5. Antioch, the capital of Syria, in the north (Acts 11.26; 13. 1). 

6. Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, in Cilicia (Acts 22.3). 

7 . Ephesus, the metropolis of Asia Minor, in the province of 
Lydia (Acts 19. 1). ■ 

8. Philippi, in Macedonia, where the gospel was first preached in 
Europe (Acts 16. 12). 



The New Testament World 



7i 



9. Thessalonica, the principal city in Macedonia (Acts 17. 1; 
Thess 1. 1). 

10. Athens, the literary center of Greece (Acts 17. 16). 

11. Corinth, the political capital of Greece (Acts 18. 1-12). 

12. Rome, the imperial city (Acts 28. 16; Rom. 1.7). 

Other lands and places are referred to as Elam, Parthia,and Media, 
all east of the Euphrates river (Acts 2.9). Ethiopia, south of Egypt 
in Africa (Acts 8. 27), and Babylon on the Euphrates (1 Peter 5. 13) ; 
but these places are outside the general history of the church. 

Hints to the Teacher and Her Class. Eleventh Study 

In teaching this lesson let the conductor sketch the outline of the map upon 
the board and drill upon the seas; then draw and name the islands; then 
drill upon the provinces, etc. Review until the lesson is learned by all the 
class. 

The student should search all the references and be able to state the 
events connected with each locality. 

It would be we'll for the student to find additional Scripture references to 
all the localities. 

Let each student practice the drawing of the map at home, until he can draw 
it without copy. Then, in presence of the class, let one student draw on the 
blackboard in presence of the class the boundary lines of the continents; or 
one the boundary line in Asia; another in Europe; and a third in Africa. 
Then let another draw and name the islands; and others locate and name 
the provinces in Asia, Europe, and Africa; and finally let the twelve cities 
be located and named. 





Blackboard Outline 


y 


iT< 


I. 


Se. Med. Gal. De. Bl. JEg. Adr. 


II. 


Isl. Cyp. Cre. Pat. Sic. Mel. 


III. 


Prov. 1. Eur. Thr. Mac. Gre. (Ach.) 111. It. 2. Afr. 




Af.-Pr. Lib. Eg. 3. Asi. Ar. Jud. Phce. Syr. 4. As. 




Min. (0) Pon. Paph. Bit. (6) Mys. Lyd. Car. (c) Lye. 




Pam. Cil. (d) Gal. Cap. Lye. Pi. Ph. 


IV. 


Pla. Alex. Jer. Ca?s. Dam. Ant. Tar. Eph. Phi. Thes. 




Ath. Cor. Ro. 


* 


_^ 



Questions for Review 

What difference is to be noted between the map of the Old Testament 
world and that of the New? Name six seas in the New Testament world. 



72 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

State the location of each of these seas. Name five islands in the New 
Testament world. Give the location of each island. Name in order the 
provinces in Europe in the New Testament world. Name the provinces in 
Africa. Name the provinces in Asia, exclusive of Asia Minor. Name the 
provinces of Asia Minor bordering on the Black Sea. Name the provinces on 
the Aegean Sea. Name the provinces on the Mediterranean Sea. Name and 
locate each of the interior provinces. What city of the New Testament world 
was in Africa? What cities were in Judea and Syria? What cities were in 
Asia Minor? What cities were in Europe? 






TWELFTH STUDY 

The Synagogue 

Before beginning the history of the Early Church, we must study 
one institution which formed an important link between the Old 
Testament and the New ; and more than any other institution pre- 
pared the way for the gospel throughout the Jewish world. That 
institution was the synagogue. 

I. Its Origin. The synagogue arose during the captivity, when 
the Temple was in ruins and the sacrifices were in abeyance. In the 
land of captivity the people of God met for worship and fellowship, 
and out of their meeting grew the synagogue, a word meaning "a 
coming together. " It is believed that the institution was organized 
as a part of the Jewish system bv Ezra, B. C. 440. 

II. Its Universality* There was but one temple, standing on 
Mount Moriah, and only those who journeyed thither could attend 
its services. But the synagogue was in every place where the Jews 
dwelt, both in Palestine and throughout the world. Wherever 
ten Jewish heads of families could be found there a synagogue would 
be established. There were four hundred and sixty synagogues in 
Jerusalem; and every nationality of Jews had its own (Acts 6. 9). 

III. The Place of Meeting. This might be a building erected 
for the purpose, or a hired room, or even a place in the open air (Acts 
16.13). This meeting place was employed for secular as well as 
religious uses. Courts were held in it, and sentence was adminis- 
tered (Acts 22. 19), and sometimes a school for teaching the law was 
held in it. Thus the synagogue became a center of local influence. 

IV. Its Arrangement. Every ancient synagogue contained : 

1 . An "ark, " which was the chest for the sacred rolls, and stood 
in the end of the building toward Jerusalem. 

2. Chief seats, elevated, near and around the "ark," for the 
elders and leading men (Matt. 23. 6). 

3. A desk for the reader standing upon a platform. 

73 



74 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

4 Places for the worshipers, carefully graded according to 
rank, the Gentile visitors having seats near the door of entrance. 

5. A lattice gallery where women could worship without being 
seen. 

V. Its Officers* These were: 

1. Three rulers of the synagogue, who directed the worship, man- 
aged the business details, and possessed a limited judicial authority 
over the Jews in the district (Mark 4.22; Acts 13. 15). One of these 
was the presiding officer, and called " the ruler." 

2. The chazzan (Luke 4. 20, "the minister"), who united the 
functions of clerk, schoolmaster, sexton, and constable to admin- 
ister sentence on offenders. 

3. The batlanim, "men of ease," seven men who were chosen to 
act as a legal congregation, were pledged to be present at the regu- 
lar services, and sometimes received a small fee for being present. 

VI. Its Services* These were held on Saturday, Monday, and 
Thursday, and were conducted by the members in turn, several 
taking part in each service. They consisted of: 

1. Forms of prayer, conducted by a leader, with the responses 
by the worshipers. 

2. Reading of selections from the law and the prophets, accord- 
ing to an appointed order (Acts 15. 21). The reading was in 
Hebrew, but it was translated, verse by verse, into the language of 
the people, whether Greek or Aramaic. 

3. Exposition or comment upon the Scripture, in which any 
member might take part (Luke 4. 20, 21 ; Acts 13. 15, 16). 

VII. Its Influence* It is easy to perceive how widely and how 
powerfully the results of such an institution would reach. 

1 . It perpetuated the worship of God and united the worshipers. 

2. It supplied a more thoughtful and spiritual worship than the 
elaborate ritual of the Temple. 

3. It promoted the study of the Old Testament Scriptures and 
made them thoroughly familiar to every Jew. 

4. It attracted the devout and intelligent among the Gentiles, 
many of whom became worshipers of God and were known as 
"pioselytes of the gate" (Acts 10. 1, 2). 

VIII. Its Preparation for the Gospel. It is evident that the 



The Synagogue 



75 



apostles and early Christian teachers were greatly aided by the syna- 
gogue. 

i. It furnished a place; for everywhere the church began in the 
synagogue, even though it soon left it (Acts 13.5; 18.4; 19.8). 

2. It prepared a people; for the synagogue was attended by the 
earnest and thoughtful, both of Jews and Gentiles, who were thus 
made ready for the higher truths of the gospel (Acts 13. 42, 43). 

3. It supplied a plan of service; for it is evident that the early 
Christian worship was modeled, not on the ritual of the Temple, but 
on the simpler forms of the synagogue. 

4. It gave a system of organization; for the Government of the 
early church was similar to, and doubtless sugested by, that of the 
synagogue. 

Blackboard Outline 



I. Orf. Cap. Ez. B. C. 440. 

II. Univ* 10 fam. 460 Jer. 

III. PL Meet, Buil. ro. op. air. sec. us. 

IV. Arr. 1. Ark. 2. Ch. sea. 3. Desk. 4. Pla. wor. 5. Gal. 
V. Off. 1. Rul. 2. Chaz. 3. Batl. 

VI. Serv* 1. Pr. 2. Read. Ser. 3. Exp. 

VII. Inf. 1. Per. wor. 2. Spir. wor. 3. St. O. T 

4. Attr. Gen. 

VIII. Prep. Gosp. 1. Pla. 2. Peo. 3. Ser. 4. Org. 



*■ 



-* 



Review Questions 



Between what two institutions was the synagogue a link of connection? How 
did the synagogue originate? Who gave it definite organization? Wherein 
did it differ from the temple and its services? Where were synagogues formed? 
How many were in Jerusalem? What buildings and places were used for the 
synagoguge service? To what secular uses were these buildings put? What 
were the arrangements of the synagogue? Where did the women worship? 
What was "the ark" in the synagogue? Who were the officers? What was the 
ehazzan? Who were the batlanim? What were the services of the synagogue? 
W r hat influence did the synagogue exert? Whom did the synagogue benefit 
outside of the Jews? How did the synagogue prepare the way for the gospel? 



THIRTEENTH STUDY 
The Church in Judea 

Part One 

Jrom the Ascension of Christ A. D. 30, to the Appointment of 
the Seven A. D. 35. 

We now enter upon the second great subject in New Testament 
history, the Early Church. This will include the annals of the 
church from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the end of the 
apostolic age, A. D. 100. This epoch of seventy years is divided 
into four periods. : 

1. The church in Judea, from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, 
to the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35. 

2. The church in Transition, from the Appointment of the Seven, 
A. D. 35, to the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50. 

3. The church among the Gentiles, from the Council at Jerusalem, 
A. D. 50, to the death of St. Paul, A. D. 68. 

4. The End of the Age, from the death of St. Paul to the death of 
St. John, about A. D. 100. It should be noted that all of these 
dates are uncertain and historians are not agreed with reference 
to them. 

Of these four periods we take up the first, the church in Judea, 
or "The church of the First Days;" a space of about five years. 
During this time the work of the church was confined wholly to the 
Jewish people, and apparently to the immediate region of Jerusa- 
lem. 

I. We notice the Events of this Period. 

1. The followers of Christ immediately after the Ascension; a 
company of people believing in Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. 

1.) Their number was 120 (Acts 1. 15). They were mostly 
from Galilee (Acts 2.7). They were all the organized church 
at that time, although throughout the land were thousands 
more ready to unite with them. 
76 



The Church in Judea 77 

2 .) Their meeting place was ' ' the upper room ' ' (Acts 1 . 1 3 ) , on 
Mount Zion, probably the room where the "Last 
Supper" was held. Some think that this may have been the 
house of Mary the mother of Mark, referred to in Acts 12. 1.2. 
3 .) Their religious condition between the Ascension and Pente- 
cost was probably that of belief in Jesus as the King of Israel, 
but with the conception of an earthly kingdom (Acts 1.6). 
They were waiting with prayer for divine direction (Acts 
1. 14). 
2 . The Outpouring of the Spirit came upon this company on the 
day of Pentecost, ten days after the Ascension, fifty days after the 
Crucifixion. The spirit descended upon them all in the form of 
"tongues of fire. " 

1.) Physical effect. This was "the gift of tongues," a 
mysterious influence (Acts 2 . 2 , 3) . This was not a power to 
speak foreign languages at will; but probably a strange 
divine speech, sounding to everyone who heard it as though 
it were the language of his own people (Acts 2.8). 
2.) Mental effect. There came to these disciples a revelation, 
once and for all, of Christ's kingdom, not as a political state, 
but as a spiritual institution ; a society of believers of which 
Jesus in glory is the invisible yet real head. 
3.) Spiritual effect. This was the personal presence of the 
Holy Spirit with each member; an indwelling life given not 
merely to the apostles, but to each and every disciple; 
a divine enthusiasm, giving guidance, enlightenment, power. 
Nor was that divine life limited to that company. It has 
dwelt ever since in the church of Christ, and in each mem- 
ber of the church, (1 Cor. 3. 16; 6. 19.) 
3. The Testimony of the Gospel. 1.) The first effect of this new 
endowment of the Holy Spirit was a strong testimony to the gospel 
of Christ ; a proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah King; and this 
testimony was the conquering weapon of the church. 2 .) This testi- 
mony was given by all the members. It is a mistake to suppose that 
the church settled down in Jersualem with Peter as its pastor and 
preacher. Peter was the leader, but not the ruler of the church. 
Find four addresses of Peter sketched in Acts 2-5; not "sermons^ 
after the modern method, but ardent declarations of Jesus as the 



78 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

Messiah; and similar testimonies were given by all the members 
everywhere, in synagogues, in houses, publicly and privately. 

4. The Apostolic Miracles. 1.) At the opening of the history of 
the church we read of a number of miracles, a) A lame man healed. 
(Acts 3. 1-10). b) A miracle of judgment (Acts 5. 1-10). c) More 
miracles of healing (Acts 5. 12-16). 2.) We can see the purpose 
of these miracles and how they were needed by the church in the day 
of its weakness, (a) They attracted attention to the gospel (b) 
They gave authority to the apostles as teachers, (c) They were 
illustrations of the spiritual work of the gospel; i. e., healing of the 
lame man a type of salvation. 

5. The Persecution of the Apostles. It was inevitable that the 
preaching of the apostles and the growing prominence of the church 
should arouse opposition from the men who a few months before had 
crucified Jesus. A persecution was begun, at first upon Peter and 
John, then upon all the apostles. It was not sharp, murderous, 
crushing out the church. The apostles were first threatened (Acts 
4. 17), then imprisoned (Acts*"'5. 18), then scourged (Acts 5. 40). 
The persecution only attracted greater notice to the gospel, and led 
to increasing numbers of believers. 

6. The Growth of the Church went on through all these experi- 
ences. Beginning with 120, on the day of Pentecost 3,000 were 
received by baptism (Acts 2. 41). There was a daily growth after 
(Acts 2. 47). Soon the number grew to 5,000, besides women and 
children (Acts 4. 4.) Another increase is named in Acts 5. 14; also 
again in Acts 6. 7. 

7. The last event in this period was the Appointment of the 
Seven. Read the account in Acts 6. 1-7. Notice for the first time 
in this history a reference to the two great classes of Jews. 1.) 
Hebrews, Jews whose ancestors had lived in Palestine, and who spoke 
the Hebrew tongue, though with Syriac admixture. 2.) Grecian 
Jews (frequently called Hellenists) . Jews descended from exiles who 
had remained abroad in foreign lands, otherwise "Jews of the Dis- 
persion. " Everywhere except in Palestine these foreign Jews were 
far more numerous than the Hebrews, and they were also the richer 
and more intelligent. They spoke the Greek language. 

Note also that the seven men named in this account are nowhere 
spoken of as * ' deacons. ' ' From Acts 21. 8 we learn that they were 



The Church in Judea 79 

called "the seven." They were not an order in the church, but a 
committee appointed for a service. 

Blackboard Outline 



* 


















-* 


Per. 


1. Ch. Jttd. 2. Ch. 


Trans. 3. Ch. am 


. Gen. 


4. E. 


A. 




Ch. 


in Jud. 1 . 


Ev. Per. 
















1. 


Foil. Ch. 


1.) Num. 


2.) 


Meet-pl. 


3-) 


Rel. 


Con. 






2. 


Out Sp. 


1.) Phys. 


eff. 


2.) Men. 


eff. 


3.) Spir. eff. 






3- 


Tes. Gosp. 


1.) Jes. 


Mess 


K. 2.) 


By all. 








4- 


Ap. Mir. 


1.) Num. 


mir. 


2.) Pur. 


Att. 


Auth. 


Illus. 






5- 


Per. Ap. 


















6. 


Gro. Ch, 


120, 3,000 


, 5,000. "Multitude." 








7- 


App. Sev. 


Heb. Gre 


. (He 


Hen.) 













* 



Review Questions. Part One 

How long a period is embraced in the history of the New Testament 
church? Name four periods in the history, and the events with which each 
begins and ends. How long a time is embraced in the first period? By what 
name is the first period called? State in order the seven events in the first 
period. What was the number of Christ's followers in Jerusalem immediately 
after his Ascension? Where did they meet? What was their religious condi- 
tion ? What took place ten days after the Ascension of Christ ? On what 
day did this outpouring occur? What were the physical effects of this out- 
pouring? What were the mental effects? What were the spiritual effects? 
What testimony was given by the apostles and church? How many addresses 
of Peter at this time are mentioned? What miracles were wrought? How did 
these miracles benefit the church? What persecution arose? What was the 
nature of this persecution? Against whom was it directed? Did it harm the 
church? What is said of the growth of the church during this epoch? Who 
were "the seven"? How were they chosen? For what were they appointed? 
What two classes of Jesus are named? Define each class. 

Part Two 

II. Having studied the history we now look at the General 
Aspects of the Pentecostal Church. 

1. Its locality: entirely in Judea. and apparently in and around 
Jerusalem. There is no mention during this early period of churches 
in Galilee, although most of the earliest members were Galileans 
(Acts 1. it; 2. 7). Individual believers doubtless were to be 
found throughout the land, but outside of Jerusalem they were 



80 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

not yet gathered together in assemblies and not yet endowed 
with the Spirit. 

2. Its membership was composed wholly of Jews. As yet not 
a single Gentile had been received, and apparently there was no 
thought of Gentile believers. Christianity began as a Jewish society, 
Three classes of Jews were embraced in its membership : i .) Hebrews. 
or Palestinian Jews. 2.) Grecians or Hellenists, Jews of the Dis- 
persion. 3.) Proselytes, or Gentiles who had embraced Judaism 
and received circumcision (Acts 6. 5). 

3. The qualifications for membership were: r.) Repentance, 
which meant not so much sorrow as decision for Christ. 2 .) Faith in 
Jesus as Christ; i. e., submission to Jesus as the true King of Israel. 
3.) Baptism in the name of Jesus the Christ as the outward form of 
consecration. 

4. The spirit of the Pentecostal Church. 1.) In theory, and for 
the most part in fact, every member possessed the Holy Spirit, an 
abounding, directing spiritual life. Every member was conscious 
of the immediate presence of God, and lived in this fellowship. 2.) 
This inspired a Christian fellowship, the love of the brotherhood. 
3.) As a result of this divine and human fellowship came liberal 
giving to each other's needs. There was a voluntary and limited 
"community of goods," the rich giving freely to aid the poor; 
which led to some insincere imitation. See the contrast of Barnabas 
and Ananias (Acts 4. 34-37; 5. r-11). 

5. Doctrines. The doctrinal aspects of Christianity at that 
early period were less prominent than its spirit. As yet there was 
no such theological system as arose later. Three great doctrines 
were held fervently: 1.) The resurrection of Jesus; that he had 
risen and was living. 2 .) The Messiahship of Jesus; that he was the 
prince of the true spiritual kingdom of Israel. 3.) The return of 
Jesus as Christ; that he would soon come again to earth. 

6. "Worship and institutions. These were: 1.) The temple 
worship attended by the disciples of Christ as by all worshiping 
Jews (Acts 2. 46; 3. 1). 2.) The synagogue services, twice each 
week; held everywhere throughout the city; with Scripture read- 
ing, prayer and testimony. 3.) "The upper room" was for a time 
the headquarters of the church; but Solomon's porch in the temple 
soon took its place (Acts 5.12). 4.) " Breaking bread, " which was 



The Church in JudeA 



81 



the Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper; at that time observed not 
in public assemblies but as a family ordinance, at home (Acts 2. 
42 , 46) . 5 .) The baptism of new members. 

7. Government. Scarcely any government or discipline was 
needed in a church where the Spirit of God was recognized as dwell- 
ing in each member. The apostles were revered as leaders, but 
were not exactly rulers over the body of believers. "The Seven" 
(Acts 6. 3) were not officials or "deacons," but laymen charged 
with specific duties. 

8. Literature. 1.) The Old Testament; familiar to all, read in 
the synagogue, was seen now in a new light and with new meaning. 
2.) The teachings of Jesus, as yet unwritten, were in the memory of 
most of the members who had heard his words ; and especially in the 
memory of the apostles; but no books of the New Testament were 
by this time in writing. 

9. Leaders of the church. 1.) Throughout this period Peter 
stands at the front as the ruling spirit of the church, by his endow- 
ments of mind, and especially by his promptness in word and act 
2.) With him stands John (Acts 3. 1; 4. 19. 3.) Barnabas won 
notice by his liberality and gifts of preaching (Acts 4. 36,37). His 
name means "the speaker" or "the preacher." 4.) At the end 
of the period Stephen comes into notice. 

Blackboard Outline 



* 

II. 


M 

Gen. Asp. Pen. Ch. 


I. 


Loc. Jud. Jer. 


2. 


Mem. Jews. 1.) Heb. 2.) Gre. Hel. 3.) Pros. 


3- 


Qttal. Mem. 1.) Rep. 2.) Fai. 3.) Bap. 


4- 


Spir. 1.) Poss. H. S. 2.) Chr. fell. 3.) Lib. giv. 


5- 


Doc. 1.) Res. Jes. 2.) Mess. Jes. 3.) Ret. Jes. 


6. 


"Worsh. and Inst. 1.) Tern. 2.) Syn. 3.) "Up. ro. 




4.) "Bre. br. " 5.) Bap. 


7- 


Gov. Sp. Apos. Sev. 


8. 


Lit. 1.) 0. T. 2.) Tea. Jes. 


9- 


Lead. 1.) Pet. 2.) Jo. 3.) Bar. 4.) Ste. 


T 


* 



Review Questions. Part Two 

Where was the church located during the Pentecostal period? Were there 
churches or members in Galilee? To what race did all the members belong? 



82 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

What were the three classes in its membership? W r ho were Hebrews? Who 
were Grecians? By what other name were they called? Who were the 
"proselytes"? What were the requisites for membership in the church? What 
is said of the spirit of this church? How did this spirit lead the members 
to regard each other? What is said of their gifts to each other? Were doctrines 
made prominent in the church? What three doctrines were held by the mem- 
bers? What institutions of worship were maintained? What other institutions 
were observed? What is meant by '"'breaking bread"? Where was this 
service held? What is said as to the government of the church? What was 
the position of the apostles? What were "the seven"? What literature did 
the church possess at this time? What knowledge did they have of the 
teachings of Jesus? Who were the leaders of the church in this period? 



FOURTEENTH STUDY 
The Church in Transition 

From the Appointment of the Seven, A. D» 35, to the Council 
at Jerusalem, A, D. 50. 

We enter upon the study of a brief period, only fifteen years, but 
of supreme importance and of vast results to the world ; a period, too, 
in which we have the deepest interest, for if its events had never 
taken place Christianity would have been only a Jewish sect and 
we would not be members of it. 

1. At its opening, 35 A. D., the church was in and around Jeru- 
salem only ; and every member was a Jew, bound by the restrictions 
of the Jewish law and ceremony. There was no thought that the 
church would ever include Gentiles except as Gentiles might first 
become proselytes to Judaism. 

2. At its close, 50 A. D., we see a church planted all around 
the northeastern portion of the Mediterranean Sea; and, what is 
even more remarkable, a church wherein Jews and Gentiles were 
worshiping together on terms of equality. A wonderful transition 
this! 

I. Let us draw the Map of the Lands occupied by the church 
during those fifteen years. 1. Draw the coast line of the Mediter- 
ranean Sea. 2. The island of Cyprus. 3. The lands east of the 
Mediterranean Sea. Judea (or Palestine), Syria, Phoenicia. 4. 
The lands north of the Mediterranean Sea, in Asia Minor, Cilicia, 
Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lycaonia. 5. The places: Jerusalem, Joppa, 
Caesarea and Samaria in Judea, Damascus and Antioch in Syria, 
Tarsus in Cilicia, Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia. 

II. Let us carefully note the Progress of Events in this remark- 
able evolution of the church. 

1. The Preaching of Stephen. Stephen was a Hellenist, or a 
Jew of foreign origin. . He was the man who first had the vision of 
a church wider than the bounds of Judaism ; and he proclaimed this 
great truth. See evidences of this in: 

1.) The new and bitter enmity which his teaching aroused 
(Acts 6. 12). 



84 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

2.) The accusation against him, which contained a half truth 
(Acts 6. ii, 13, 14). 

3.) The prominence of the man, and his discourse, the longest 
public discourse reported in the New Testament, except the 
Sermon on the Mount (Acts 7. 1-53). 

4.) The logical atm of his address : to show that the Jews had 
shown themselves unworthy of their trust, implying that it 
would be given to others. This sermon was never finished, 
being broken up by the riotous acts of the council. 

2. Saul's Persecution (Acts 8. 1-3). We shall study this man's 
early history later. (Seepage 96). He was intense and furious 
in his loyalty to Judaism, and undertook to crush out the gospel of 
Christ by violent measures. See Acts 22. 4:26. 10,11; Gal. 1. 13. 
1.) As a result the Pentecostal church was broken up and its mem- 
bers were scattered. 2.) But, as another effect, these disciples who 
were scattered went everywhere preaching (Acts 8. 4). These 
"preachers" were not the apostles; they were lay-members; not 
delivering sermons, but testifying in country synagogues and in 
homes the gospel of Christ. 3.) Another result followed, churches 
sprang up throughout Judea (Acts 9. 31), Samaria (Acts 8. 14), and 
Syria (Acts 9. 2, 10; Acts 11. 19). Thus Saul by his persecution 
unconsciously aided the spread of the gospel. 

3. The Gospel in Samaria (Acts 8. 5-8). One of these dis- 
ciples, Philip (not the apostle, but one of the "seven" Acts 6. 5), 
went to Samaria, and there preached with great success. A signifi- 
cant 1 event, showing breadth of view and victory over prejudice. 
See John 4. 9. The Samaritans were regarded, not exactly as Gen- 
tiles, but as irregular and inferior, and despised even more than 
Gentiles. Still more significant, the Samaritan church was recog- 
nized by the apostles and received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 
8. 14-17). Note also that, after his work in Samaria, Philip went 
down to the coast and established a chain of churches from Azotus 
to Caesarea (Acts 8. 40). 

4. Peter's Vision (Acts 10. 1-48), and the events accompanying 
it, was the next step in the forward movement of the church. The 
leading apostle and most prominent man in the church, under direc- 
tion of the Spirit, journeys thirty miles to preach to a little company 
of Gentiles; the Spirit falls upon them, another Pentecost; and Peter 



The Church in Transition 85 

baptizes them. Here, then, is a genuine church of Gentiles founded 
by an apostle ; the first fruits of a great harvest. 

5. The next step is even more momentous in its results, the 
Conversion of Saul (Acts 9. 1-19). It seems to be a sudden conver- 
sion, but one expression (Acts 9. 5) shows that Saul had been strug- 
gling against conviction. His enmity had not been so greatly 
against "Jesus as Christ" as against "Christ for all the world" i. e., 
the gospel as preached by Stephen; and when converted he went 
fully over to Stephen's view, and became Stephen's successor, with 
even larger vision. Note the order of events in Saul's early ministry. 
1.) Preaching in Damascus (Acts 9. 20-22). 2.) Retirement to 
Arabia (Gal. 1 . 17). This may mean almost anywhere to the east or 
south of Palestine. In our opinion, he went thither not to 
meditate nor to study theology, but to preach in the cities between 
Palestine and the desert. 3 .) Again preaching in Damascus (Gal. 1 . 
17). His escape (Acts 9. 23-25). 4.) Visit to Jerusalem (Acts 9. 
26-28). Whom he met on this visit (Gal. 1. 8, 19). The event 
which led to his departure from Jerusalem (Acts 22. 17-21). 5.) 
His return to his birthplace (Acts 9. 29, 30. Gal. 1. 21). Let the 
student draw on the map all the journeys of Saul, beginning with 
his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus before his conversion. 

VI. The Church at Antioch. (Acts 1 1 . 19-30). Antioch was the 
third city of the Roman empire ; capital of Syria, of which Judea 
was a dependency. Its many Jews had their synagogues, each with 
its "court of the Gentiles," where the Gentile worshipers sat dur- 
ing the services. In the story of this church note 1.) Its unnamed 
founders (Acts 11. 19). 2.) Its membership of both Jews and 
Gentiles (Acts 11. 20). See American Revised Version. 3.) Its 
prominence (Acts 11. 22-26). 4.) Its liberality (Acts 11. 27-30). 
5.) Some of its workers (Acts 13. 1). 6.) Note how Saul came to 
be associated with this church (Acts 11. 25, 26). 

VII. The First Missionary Journey (Acts 13. 1-4). Another 
step in advance was taken when two missionaries went out to plant 
churches of both Jews and Gentiles. 1.) They were called by the 
Holy Spirit (ver. 2). 2.) Approved by the church (Ver. 3). 3.) 
Their method ; whenever possible beginning with the synagogue, 
where they would have access both to devout Jews and devout Gen- 
tiles (Acts 13. 5). 4.) The lands visited. Cyprus (Acts 13. 4-6). 



86 



Outline Studies in the NewTestament 



Pisidia (Acts 13. 14). Lycaonia (Acts 14. 6). On the return jour- 
ney, Pamphylia (Acts 14. 24,25). Let the student draw the maps 
showing the lands and places, and the route of the journey. One 
province in the southern tier was left unvisited, Cilicia, because Paul 
had already preached there (Gal. 1 . 21-23). 




VIII. The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15). Of course such a 
spread of the gospel among the Gentiles would be very unwelcome 
to narrow Jewish believers. Their complaint and demand (Acts 
15. 1,2). Who attended the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15. 2-4). 



The Church in Transition 87 

Who took prominent part in it (Acts 15. 7, 13). The conclusion of 
the Council (Acts 15. 27-29). 

The great question was now settled. Jews and Gentiles were 
standing at last on equality in the church, and the great transition 
from a Jewish church to a church for all the world was accomplished. 

Hints to the Teacher and the Student 

1. Read carefully in the book of Acts from the 8th to the 15th chapter, 
inclusive. 

2. Draw the map first from copy, then without copy; not seeking for 
accuracy, but aiming rather for correct relation of the lands to each other. 

3. Study each section of the lesson; look up every reference, and note its 
relation to the general subject. Master the eight points in the outline thor- 
oughly. 

4. Draw on the map (or, better, on a series of maps) the following journeys: 
1.) Philip's journeys. Acts 8. 2.) Peter's journeys. Acts 8 and 10. 3.) 
Saul's early journeys. 4.) The journey of Saul and Barnabas. 5.) The 
journeys in connection with the council at Jerusalem, going and returning. 

5. Let the teacher call upon the scholars to tell as a story each of the eight 
points in the lesson, not from the text-book but from the book of Acts; each 
story by a, student in turn. 

Blackboard Outline 



Ch. in Trans. 1.) Op. 2.) Clo. 
I. Map. Lands. Cy. Ju. Syr. Ph. Cil. Pam. Pi. Lye. Places. 

Jer. Jop. Cses. Dam. Ant. Tar. An (Pi) Lys. Der. 
II. Prog, of Ev. 1. Pre. Ste. 1.) En. 2.) Ace. 3.) Prom. 
4.) Log. ai. 

2. Sau. Per. Res. 1.) Pen. Ch. bro. tip. 2.) Dis. every w. 
prea. 3.) Chur. spr. up. 

3. Gosp. in Sam* Phil. 

4. Pet. Vis. Pet. and Corn. 

5. Conv. Sau. Sau. ear. Min. 1.) Dam. 2.) Ara. 
3.) Dam. 4.) Jeru. 5.) Tar. 

6. Ch. at. Ant. 1.) Foun. 2.) Mem. 3.) Prom. 
4.) Lib. 5.) Work. 6.) Sau. asso. 

7. Fir. Miss. Jour. 1.) Cal. 2.) App. 3.) Meth. 
4.) Lands. C. P. L. P. 

8. Coun. at Jer. 



88 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

Review Questions 

With what events did the period of transition begin and end? How long 
was it? What was the state of the church when it opened? What was the 
state of the church when it closed? Name an island and seven lands connected 
with this period. Name ten places connected with the period. State the eight 
great events in the history of the church at this time. What preacher intro- 
duced this epoch? How do we know that he preached salvation for the 
Gentiles? What man's persecution at this time proved a help to the 
church? Tell the story of this persecution. What three results followed it? 
Who formed the church in Samaria? Who were the Samaritans? How was 
the church recognized? Tell the story of a remarkable vision on a housetop. 
To what did that vision lead? Tell the story of a persecutor's conversion to 
Christ. Where did this conversion take place? What were the events in 
Saul's life that followed this conversion? What important church arose in 
Syria? Who were its founders? Who constituted its membership? Who 
were its leaders? What facts showed its prominence and influence? How 
came Saul to be associated with this church? Who went out as missionaries? 
Who went with them as helper? What became of this young man? What 
was their method of work? What lands did they visit? In what cities did 
they found churches? What led to the council at Jerusalem? Who attended 
the council? Who spoke in it? What were its conclusions? How did this 
end the period of transition in the church? 



FIFTEENTH STUDY 
The Church Twenty Years After the Ascension 

We have now studied the two earliest periods in the history of the 
Christian church and have come to the year 50 A. D., twenty years 
after the Ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit on 
the first Pentecost. Let us look over the field and see what at that 
time was the state of the church. 

I. Its Extent. Let the student draw again the map given 
with the last lesson, and locate upon it the following lands: 1. 
Judea (Palestine). 2. Syria. 3. Phoenicia. 4. Cyprus. 5. 
Cilicia. 6. Pamphylia. 7. Pisidia. 8. Lycaonia. In all these 
lands churches were established and at work. 

II. Its Membership. The members of the church consisted of 
two classes of people, widely apart by nature, but brought together 
by the gospel: 

1. There were churches where all the members were Jews, as 
in Judea. These were all faithful to the regulations of the Jewish 
ceremonial law, and many of them almost bigoted in their opinions 
concerning it (Acts 15. 1, 5). 

2. There were other churches, as in Lycaonia, where all or 
nearly all the members were Gentiles (Acts 14. 6-13). In these the 
Jewish rules were unrecognized, almost unknown. 

3. Between these two extremes was the great body of churches 
of both Jews and Gentiles. The two classes worshiped together; 
Jews remaining Jews, and Gentiles remaining Gentiles; but probably 
received the Lord's Supper apart, as it was as yet a house-service, 
not held at the public meetings. 

4. While in most churches there was harmony, on both sides 
there were some radical members; but especially among the Jews. 
These were the Judaizers ; men who sought to compel all the disciples 
to receive circumcision, obey the ceremonial law and make the 
Christian church subordinate to Jewish ritualism. These were the 



90 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

enemies of Paul to the end of his ministry, perverting the Gentile 
churches and opposing the apostle's work. 

III. Its Leaders* Three names stand out prominently at this 
time : i . Paul, as the leader of the church in its world-wide plans, 
the apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 2.7). 2. James, as leader of the 
Jewish but not Judaizing elements (Acts 13. 13, 19). This was not 
James the apostle, for he had been put to death some time before 
this (Acts 12. 2) ; but James "the brother of the Lord" (Gal. 1. 
1 9) . He was the head of the church in Jerusalem and author of the 
Epistle of James. 3. Peter, who stood in friendly relation to both 
parties in the church, although his conduct was not always perfectly 
consistent with regard to Jewish regulations (Acts 11. 2, 3; Gal. 2. 
1 1-14). Between these three leaders there was a clear understand- 
ing and no strong division of spirit, although they might not agree 
in all points. 4. Other leaders in this period were Philip (Acts 8. 
40; 21. 8). Barnabas, Silas of Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 15.22, 
32, 40), and Titos (Gal. 2. 1-4). 

IV. Its Government. In our time the church is often a highly 
wrought organization, with articles of faith, orders, and officials of 
various grades. We are apt to assume such a condition in the early 
church. But at the time of which we speak there was very little 
organization or machinery; and there was little need of any, for a 
special reason : Every member was under the direct guidance of the 
Holy Spirit, living in fellowship with God, without mediation of 
priest or church. Yet we find certain officers named in the church: 

1. Apostles, originally "the twelve," but changes arose and 
others were called by the title, for example, Paul and Barnabas 
(Acts 14. 14); James (Gal. 1. 19). The work of the apostles was 
not primarily government, but inspired testimony to Jesus as the 
Christ (Acts 1. 22; 6. 4); nowhere in Acts are the apostles repre- 
sented as ruling the church (Acts 15. 6, 22). 

2. Elders (Acts 11. 30; 14. 23; 15. 4). These were analogous 
to the same officers in the synagogue, from which the plan of the 
local churches was taken. 

3. Prophets (Acts 11. 27, 28; Acts 13. 1; Acts 15. 32). Men 
who spoke out of direct fellowship with the Lord, and under 
inspiration of the Spirit; sometimes, though not always, giving 
predictions of future events. 



The Church Twenty Years After the Ascension 91 

4. Teachers (Acts 13. 1). Men who gave instruction in the Chris- 
tian character; probably largely from recollection or knowledge of 
the teaching of Christ. The difference between "prophesy" and 
" teaching " was that the former was the more spontaneous and the 
latter the more educative in the principles of the gospel. 

V. Its Doctrinal Views. These remained substantially as in the 
first period. There was little tendency toward intellectual ques- 
tionings while the church remained under Jewish influence. The 
discussion was rather regarding Jewish ceremonial regulations. 
The Messiahship, Resurrection and Return of Jesus were still the 
prominent teaching of the period. 

VI. Its Moral Standards. The church is now face to face with 
the heathen world and all its abominable vices. Heathen moralists 
continually made excuse for the immorality which was so generally 
practiced. But Christianity made no compromise; set forth the 
high standard of the gospel, with the character of Christ as its ideal. 
This high standard unswervingly maintained was one secret of the 
church's power and growth. Notice, a little later than this period, 
in St. Paul's writings, the strong ethical spirit. 

VII.. Its Meeting-places. As yet "churches" or buildings for 
worship were not erected. The disciples met with the Jews in the 
synagogue or established synagogues of their own (James 2. 2). 
Often they met, even later than this period, in the upper rooms of 
private houses (Acts 2 o . 8. Rom. 16. 3-5. Philem. 2). 

VIII. Its Literature. This was still the Old Testament only; no 
book of the New Testament having been written as early as 50 A. D. 
These writings were familiar to all the Jewish members, and almost 
equally familiar to the Gentiles who attended the synagogue. 
Was there an ' ' oral gospel ' ' in existence ? Probably not in any set, 
authorized form ; but repeated as the narration of teachings and 
works of Jesus. The tendency would naturally be for these teach- 
ings to settle into a few accepted forms or " gospels." 

IX. Wherein did the Unity of the Church consist? Not in or- 
ganization, nor government, nor doctrinal statement; but in a com- 
mon spiritual life. They were of one heart and one mind, loved 
each other, contributed to each other's needs (Acts 11. 29. Gal. 
2. 10), visited each other's churches (Acts 11. 22, 27,30; 13, 25; 
15. 27,32). This was, and is, true church unity. 



92 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

Blackboard Outline 



* 




* 


Ch. 20 Ye, af Asc. 




I. 


Ext. Ja. Sy. Ph. Cy. Cil. Pam. Pi. Lye. 




II. 


Mem. i.Je. 2. Gen. 3. Both J. and G. 4. 


' Judai. " 


III. 


Lead. 1. Pau. 2. Jam. 3. Pet. 4. Phi. 
6. Sil. 7. Tit. 


5. Bar. 


IV. 


Gov. (Dir. Guid. H. S). 1. Aps. 2. El. 
4. Tea. 


3. Pro. 


V. 


Doc. Vie. Mes. Res. Ret. Jes. 




VI. 


Mor. Stan. ' ' No comp. " 




VII. 


Meet. Pla. Syn. "Up. roo." 




VIII. 


Lit. O. T. "Or. gosp." 




IX. 


Uni. Com. spir. lif. 




* 




i 



Review Questions 

What stage in the church's progress do we now consider? In what lands 
was the church established at this time? What two classes of people consti- 
tuted its membership? How did these two classes worship together? What 
service was observed in the homes of members? Who were the Judaizers? 
What harm did they do? Name the three great leaders at this time. Who was 
James? Give an instance when Peter was not entirely consistent in his con- 
duct. Name four other leaders and a fact about each. Why did the church 
of that time need very little government? Name four kinds of officers in the 
church. What was the special work of the apostles? Where did the elders 
originate? With what churches are elders named in this period? What were 
the prophets in the church? Name some who are called prophets in this period. 
What was the work of teachers in the church? Were doctrinal studies or 
discussions prominent at this time? What were the three prominent doctrines 
of the church? Why do the moral standards of the church come into 
prominence at this time? What were those standards? Where did the 
Christians hold their meetings? What was the literature of the church at this 
time? What do you understand by "the oral gospel?" Was such a gospel 
in existence? Wherein did the unity of the church consist? How was this 
unity shown? 



SIXTEENTH STUDY 
The Preparation of Paul for his Work 

Part One 

Before we enter upon the study of ' ' The church among the Gen- 
tiles," our next period, there is a preliminary topic to be consid- 
ered. The only record which we possess of the period before us, the 
Book of Acts, not only represents Paul as the leading worker for 
the gospel, but it even omits all reports of the work of other apostles 
and evangelists. There must have been other workers ; Peter, Barna - 
bas, Philip, and other workers were still living, and must have been 
active in founding churches; but their work is not mentioned. We 
find mention of churches which Paul had not founded (Acts 21. 3 , 7 . 
Acts 28. 13, 14, 15). Paul stands before us as the leading and the 
typical worker in the gospel. We will therefore take for our theme, 
The Preparation and Methods of Paul. 

At A. D. 50 Paul is now at Antioch, about fifty years old, having 
been born probably about four years after Jesus Christ. His first 
missionary journey has taken place, and he is now about to enter 
upon his second missionary journey. Let us notice some of his 
advantages for leadership in the gospel. 

I. He was a Jew. (See Phil. 3. 5; Rom. 11. 1). The leader in 
this movement must be a Jew. 1 . Because as a Jew he would have 
a training in Bible knowledge, and in the faith of a coming Messiah 
such as no Gentile could possess. 2. Moreover the work in nearly 
all places must begin in the synagogue. (See Acts 17. i;2. 10; 
18. 1,4; 19. 1, 8). And only a Jew could take part in its serv- 
ices. 

II. He was a Trained and Recognized Rabbi: an accredited 
teacher of the law; "a college man" with the prestige of scholar- 
ship won in the school of Gamaliel, the greatest Jewish master of 
that age (Acts 5. 34. Acts 22. 3). Such a teacher would be wel- 
come in any synagogue. In this respect contrast Paul with Peter 
and the other apostles (Acts 4. 13). 



94 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

III. He was a Hellenist, or "Grecian Jew;" i. e., a Jew of the 
Dispersion ; by birth and environment broader than the Jews of 
Jerusalem, who rarely came in contact with Gentiles. He was a 
traveler acquainted with the world; spoke Greek as fluently as 
Hebrew, an absolute necessity for preaching to Gentiles (Acts 2 1 . 
37, 40). He spoke to the Greek philosophers in their own tongue 
and after their own manner. Contrast Acts 17. 22 with Acts 22. 1 . 
Tradition says that Peter, when at Rome, used an interpreter in 
preaching to the church. Paul's ability to speak at least two 
languages . gave him a great advantage. 

IV. Another advantage was that he was by birth a Roman Citi- 
zen (Acts 16. 37. Acts 22. 25-28). This privilege, at that time 
rare among those outside of Italy, gave the apostle safety, immunity 
from imprisonment by the local rulers, and the right to a trial before 
a Roman judge, with appeal to the emperor. James was put to 
death, and Peter thrown into prison by King Herod (Acts 12. 2-4) ; 
but Paul was by his citizenship undoubtedly saved more than once 
from torture and from death. 

V. He was a divinely-called Apostle. When he spoke it was 
with all the fervor and authority of one who had seen the Lord and 
had received a special command from the lips of the ascended Christ 
to bear testimony to his gospel. His call came with his conver- 
sion (Acts 26. 12-19). He claimed the authority of an apostle 
(Gal. 1. 1; 1 Cor. 9. 1). Notice that in his letters Paul always 
places "apostles" 'before "prophets" (Eph. 2. 20; 3. 5; 4. 11), as 
holding the higher office in the church. 

VI. He possessed rare Natural Endowments for his work. 

1. He was a man of sympathy, warm-hearted and tender; mak- 
ing strong friendships, drawing men after him. Note how in every 
place he found friends (Acts 1 9 . 31; 20. 4; 27. 3, 43). 

2. He was a preacher of power. He was a master of the art of 
public speaking; and people would always listen to him with the 
deepest interest (Acts 17. 22-31. Acts 22. 1-2. Acts 26. 1-26). 

3. He was a theologian.. He saw the great truths of the gospel 
in clearer light than any of his co-workers. Under the guidance 
of the Spirit he formulated a system of doctrine (Gal. 1. 11, 12), 
which he sometimes called "my gospel" (Rom. 2. 16; 2 Tim. 2. 8). 



The Preparation of Paul for His Work 95 

This " gospel according to Paul, " presented in his great epistles, 
came to be the theology of the church, and so remains. 

4. He possessed rare tact in dealing with men; knew how to 
adapt his methods to people of varied races and views. His man- 
ner of preaching at Athens was very different from that in Jerusa- 
lem. Note 1 Cor. 9. 19-22. 

5. He was a natural leader of men ; read)'' to take responsibilities, 
quick to decide, yet thoughtful of others. He possessed the ruling 
spirit, yet was no imperious, self-willed man. People were as ready 
to follow as he was to lead. 

6. He was a tireless worker; indomitable and undiscouraged, 
caring little for hardship (2 Cor. u. 23-28), although he seems to 
have been delicate in health. See allusions 2 Cor. 12. 7-10. Gal. 
4. 13. Notice the field of his labors, in the middle of his ministry 
(Rom. 15. 19). Notice too his plans for regions more distant (Rom. 
i5- 24). 

Blackboard Outline 
Part One 



*_ 



Pa«. Prep, & Meth. 
I. Je. 1. Train, fai. 2. Part in Syn. 
II. Trai. Rec. Rab. Sch. of Gam. 
III. Hell. "Gre.J." Trav. Gre. Lang. 
IV. Rom. eft. 
V. Apos. 

VI. Nat. Endow. 1. Sym. 2. Pre. 3. Theol. 4. Tac. 
5. Nat. lead. 6. Tir. Work. 

Review Questions 
Part One 



What prominence does the book of Acts give to Paul in the period of the 
church among the Gentiles? How do we know that there were other workers 
at that time? Name some of these other workers. What churches are named 
which could not have been founded by Paul? What was Paul's age at the 
opening of this period? What were some advantages which Paul possessed 
for his work? What were the advantages of his birth and training as a Jew? 
What education did he receive, and wherein was it a help to him? To what 
great branch of the Jews did Paul belong? How was this fact an advantage 
in his work? Of what nation was he a citizen? Name instances when this 



$6 Outline Studies in the NewTestament 

fact was of avail to Paul. With what authority could Paul speak? Whence 

came this authority? What were some of Paul's natural endowments for his 

ministry? What does Paul mean hy the expression, "my gospel"? What 
showed his industry as a worker? 

Part Two 

VII. We must also study Paul's Methods of "Work. These were 
varied greatly according to circumstances, but in them we may note 
certain principles. 

i. He took fellow workers with him. Notice his companions on 
his first journey. Acts 13. 2-5. On his second journey. Acts 15. 
40; 16. 1-3. What other companion is indicated in the word "we" 
inActsi6. 10? On his third journey. Acts 19. 22, 29. Othercom- 
panions on this journey. Acts 20. 4, 5. This method gave 1.) 
Mutual encouragement. Paul was social, loved companionship; was 
sometimes melancholy when alone (Acts 1 7. 15, 16; 2 Cor. 2. 12, 13; 
2 Cor. 7. 5, 6). 2.) Power in co-operation; two can do much more 
than twice as much as one. 3.) There was also training for younger 
workers, whom Paul always took with him; e. g., Mark, Timothy, 
and perhaps Titus. 

2 . He chose the cities ; and of these the largest and most important 
centers of population. Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, 
Rome. Paul was, in training and tastes, a man of the city, not 
of the country. He took great interest in men, but apparently none 
in nature. Contrast Paul in this respect with Christ, most of whose 
illustrations were drawn from nature. One result of Paul's choice 
of the cities was the wide and rapid diffusion of the gospel. The 
cities became Christian long before the country-places. The word 
"pagan" literally means "countryman," but it came to mean a 
worshiper of idols. See the effect of Paul's two years in Ephesus 
(Acts 19. 10). "The seven churches of Asia " (Rev. 1. 11) were the 
outgrowth of Paul's work in Ephesus. 

3 . He supported himself by his trade. His occupation. Acts 18.3. 
References to his self-support in different places. 1 Cor. 4. 12; 
1 Thess. 2.9; Acts 20. 34; Paul's was a "self-supporting mission," 
because there was no society to support him and he would not lay 
the burden upon those just converted. But although he asked no 

contributions, he accepted them when tendered. Phil. 4. 15; 16. 18. 



The Preparation of Paul for His Work 97 

4. He began in the synagogue. In every large city there were 
Jewish synagogues; and in these Paul could speak as an accepted 
Rabbi. Note how constantly he made use of the synagogue. Acts 
13. 5,4. Acts 14. 1. Acts 17. 1. Acts 18. 4,19. This method 
gave him access to the worshiping Scripture-loving Jews, to whom 
he felt called to give the gospel first (Rom. 1. 16). But it also gave 
him access to the thoughtful, serious Gentiles who were seeking 
after God ; and from this class came many of the early Christians. 
Notice that in Paul's opening address in Antioch in Pisidia he 
addressed both these classes (Acts 13. 16). The synagogue among 
the Jews of the dispersion was a great aid to the gospel. 

5. He formed acquaintance with rulers and influential men in 
many places; in so many that it cannot have been accidental, but 
must have been a part of his plan. Examine the following refer- 
ences, and note names and places: Acts 13. 7. Acts 17. 34. Rom. 
16. 23. Acts 19. 31. Acts 28. 7. These friendships were often 
of great service to Paul, especially when opposed by his own people. 

6. He used the pen as well as the voice. He wrote many letters, 
not so much to spread the gospel as to strengthen and instruct the 
churches which he had planted. A number of his letters to churches 
and to individuals have been preserved ; but it is evident that some 
have been lost ( 1 Cor. 5. 9. Col. 4. 16). 

7 . He strengthened his work by frequently revisiting his churches. 
Notice a re-visitation on his first journey (Acts 14. 21). The same 
churches visited again on his second journey (Acts 16. 1-4). Again 
on his third journey he passed through the same places (Acts 19. 1) . 
A re-visitation of the European churches (Acts 20. 1,2). 

VIII. Note, lastly, Paul's Enemies; those who throughout his 
journeys opposed, fought, persecuted him. Almost everywhere his 
work stirred up violent antagonisms. This came in different places 
from three sources : 

1. The Jews, whose opposition came not so much from his 
preaching Jesus as the Messiah as from his willingness to receive 
Gentiles into the church. He was regarded as breaking down the 
distinctions between Jew and Gentile. Note instances of perse- 
cution from this source (Acts 13. 45, 50. Acts 14. 1, 2. Acts 14. 19. 
Acts 17. 5. Acts 21. 27). 

2. The Juflaizing Christians; professed disciples who were 



98 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

opposed to Gentile membership in the church (Acts 15. 1, 5. Acts 
21. 20, 21. Phil. 1. 14-17). As the years passed the proportion 
of Jews to Gentiles in the church became less and less, and this party 
diminished in power. 

3. The Gentiles. In only two places do we find persecution 
stirred up against Paul by Gentiles without suggestion by Jews. 
Note the places and circumstances in Acts 16. 16-24. Acts 19. 
23-30. In each instance private interests caused the trouble. As 
yet there was no strife between Christianity and the imperial gov- 
ernment. But Paul saw the trials impending, and not far distant, 
and he forewarned his churches of sharper persecution soon to come 
(Thess. 2. 3-10. Acts 20. 29. Phil. 1. 28-30). 

Blackboard Outline 

Part Two 





>J4 


VII. 


Pan. Meth. "Wor. 1. Fell. work. 2. Ch. cit. 




3. Sup. by tra. 4. Beg. syn. 5. Acq. w. ral. 




6. Us. pen. 7. Rev. chu. 


VIII. 


Pau. Ene. 1. Je. 2. Jud. Chr. 3. Gen. 
m 



Review Questions, Part Two 

Name seven facts about Paul's methods of work in the gospel. Who were 
his companions on his first, second, and third journeys? What were the 
benefits of having fellow-workers? Name some cities where Paul labored 
longest. How is Paul contrasted in this respect with Jesus Christ? What was 
the effect of beginning the work in the great cities? How was Paul supported 
while preaching? Why did he follow that plan? In what place did Paul 
begin his work wherever possible? Whom did he reach in that method? Name 
some rulers and influential people in different places who were friends of 
Paul. What use of the pen did Paul make in his ministry? Show how he 
frequently revisited his churches. What three classes of people were enemies 
of Paul in his work? Name instances when the Jews opposed him. What 
was their reason for their opposition? What opposition did he meet from 
fellow-Christians? At what places was he persecuted by Gentiles? What 
was the attitude of the Roman government at that time toward Christianity? 



SEVENTEENTH STUDY 
The Church among the Gentiles 

From the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, To the Death of St» Paul, 

A. D. 68. 

Part One 

The history of this period of eighteen years, as contained in the 
book of Acts, is limited to the labors of St. Paul, ■who was pre-emi- 
nently the apostle to the Gentiles (2 Tim. 1. 11). 

I. Let us draw the map of the lands embraced in the later jour- 
neys of the apostle Paul. 

1. The Lands: 1.) Asia Minor. 2.) Thrace. 3.) Macedonia. 
4.) Greece or Achaia. 5.) Italy. 6.) Africa, not visited by Paul. 
7.) Palestine or Judea. 8.) Syria. 

2. The Localities. 1.) Jerusalem. 2.) Antioch. 3.) Ephesus. 
4.) Troas. 5.) Philippi. 6.) Thessalonica. 7.) Berea. 8.) 
Athens. 9.) Corinth. 10.) Rome. 

II. Paul's Second Missionary Journey. The gospel in Europe 
(A. D. 51-53)- Notice: 

1. His companions: the quarrel with Barnabas and separation 
(Acts 15. 36-39). Barnabas at this point drops out of the record. 
Silas, Timothy, and later Luke, accompany Paul (Acts 1 5. 40. ; 16. 1 ; 
16. 10). Luke's profession, perhaps therein helping the apostle 
(Col. 4. 14). 

2. Asia Minor revisited. Note and locate the provinces 
through which they passed, starting from Antioch: 1.) Cilicia 
(Acts 15. 41). 2.) Lycaonia (Acts 16. 1, 3). Probably Pisidia 
(Acts 16. 4). 4). Galatia. 5.) Phrygia (Acts 16. 6). Through 
Mysia to Troas (Acts 16. 8). Locate these provinces on the map. 

3 . The Gospel in Europe. Note the events which led to the voy- 
age across the ^Egean Sea (Acts 16. 9). Trace the route on the 
map — from what city? to what city? The three cities in Macedonia 
(Acts 16.12; 17. 1; 17. 10). The two cities in Greece (Acts 17. 
15 ; 18. 1) . Note the long stay in Corinth (Acts 18. 11); the largest 

99 

LOfc. 



ioo Outline Studies in the New Testament 

city in Greece and the commercial metropolis, at that time far 
more important than Athens. 

Review and locate the five cities in Europe thus far visited, P. T. 
B. A. C, and recall the peculiar events at each place. 

4. The two Epistles to the Thessalonians were written while Paul 
was at Corinth, perhaps 52 and 53 A. D. These are the earliest 
extant writings of Paul, and the earliest books of the New Testa- 
ment. Two subjects are presented in both letters : 1 .) General pre- 
cepts concerning Christian character. 2.) The second coming of 
Christ. 

5. A visit to Ephesus, the chief city of Asia Minor (Acts 18. 18, 
19). Notice what would be the direct route from Corinth. Paul's 
stay at this time was short, but with promise of a speedy return. 

6. Return to Antioch. The route, from Ephesus to Caesarea, 
thence to the mother church at Jerusalem; thence 250 miles either 
by land via Damascus, or by water via Caesarea (Acts 18. 22). The 
great result of the second missionary journey was the planting of 
the gospel in Europe. The churches founded were composed of 
both Jews and Gentiles, with the latter largely in the majority. 

Blackboard Outline 





Part One 


.T". 


•^ 


I. 


Map. 1. Lands. 1.) A.M. 2.) Th. 3.) Mac. 4.) Gre. 




5.) It. 6.) Af. 7.) Pal. 8.) Syr. 




2. Pla. i.)Jer. 2.) Ant. 3.) Eph. 4.) Tro. 5.) Phi. 




6.) Thes. 7.) Ber. 8.) Ath. 9.) Cor. 


II. 


Pau. Sec. Miss. Jour. 1. Comp. S T. L. 




2. As. Min. Rev. 1.) Cil. 2.) Ly. 3.) Pi. 4.) Gal. 




5.) Ph. 6.) My. T. 




3. Gos.inEur. Tro. Phil. Thess. Ber. Ath. Cor. 




4. Ep. Thess. 1.) Chr. Char. 2.) Chr. sec. com. 


' 


5. Vis. Eph. 




6. Ret. Ant. Result-Gosp. Eur. 


* 


* 



Review Questions. Part One 

What lands in Asia are named with this lesson on the map? What lands in 
Europe? What localities in Palestine and Syria? Localities in Asia Minor? 
Localities in Europe? Who were Paul's companions on his second missionary 



The Church Among the Gentiles ioi 

journey? What places of his earlier journey were revisited at this time? 
What new places did he -Visit in Asia Minor? What event called Paul to go to 
Europe? In what city in Europe did Paul first preach the gospel? How was 
his work in that city interrupted? What other places in Macedonia did he 
visit? In which of these places did he find the people "more noble"? What 
cities in Greece did he visit? In which city did he stay for a long time, and 
for what reason? What letters were written during this journey? From what 
place was each written? What was the subject or purpose of each epistle? 
What large city in Asia Minor was the last one visited on this journey? At 
what places did Paul stop on his return journey? Where did his journey 
end? What was the great result of this journey? 

Part Two 

II. Paul's Third Missionary Journey (A. D. 54-58). His 
companions are named in Acts 19. 22. The latter seems to have 
been a man of importance from Corinth (Rom. 16. 23). We trace 
the journey, starting, as both the former journeys, from Antioch: 

1. From Antioch to Ephesus (Acts 18. 23). He went through 
Galatia and Phrygia, visiting churches already founded. Some 
think that this indicates a fourth visit to Lycaonia and Pisidia, as 
those lands were loosely regarded as belonging to Galatia ; but this 
is not certain.. 

2. Three years in Ephesus. (Acts 19. 1-20.) In this metropolis 
of Asia Minor Paul made a stay longer than in any other place dur- 
ing his ministry. As results, churches arose in all that region: 
Colossae (Col. 2. 2; 2. 1), Hierapolis (Col. 4. 13), and ''the seven 
churches of Asia " (Rev. 1. 11). 

3. Macedonia and Greece revisited. We can tell what places he 
would visit in this journey through former fields, although they are 
not named — the four or five cities wherein he had already planted 
churches: Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea (Athens?) Corinth. One 
of his errands on this journey, not mentioned in Acts, is frequently 
referred to in the epistles of this period, his collection for the poor 
Christians in J ude a. See Rom. 15. 26, 27. 1 Cor. 16. 1-3. 2 Cor. 
9. 1-4. Probably the care of these funds was one reason for the 
large number of disciples accompanying Paul on his return journey 
(Acts 20. 4). 

4. Epistles of this Period. These were the following: 

1.) First Corinthians, written from Ephesus, perhaps about 
57 A. D. Its occasion (1 Cor. 1. 11, 12). Its purpose, to 
set forth a true church-life. 



102 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

2.) Second Corinthians (57 A. D.), probably written from 
'Macedonia. (2 Cor. 7. 5 ; 8. 1) ; its purpose, mainly a defense 
of Paul's apostolic authority. 

3.) Galatians, also probably from Macedonia (57 A. D). Its 
occasion, the influence of Judaizing teachers on Paul's 
churches in Galatia (Gal. 1.6,7). " Galatia "may refer to the 
regions in Lycaonia and Pisidia (according to Ramsay) ; but 
most expositors refer it to Galatia Proper, north of those 
provinces. The theme of this book is " Salvation by faith 
only. " 

4.) Romans was written from Corinth perhaps in' 58 A. D. 
See Rom. 16. 1, a reference to the seaport of Corinth. Its 
subject is "Justification by Faith. " Notice how important 
were the writings of this period. 

5. The return journey (Acts 20. 6-21. 17). Note the route and 
places, which should be traced on the map. 1.) Philippi (Acts 20. 
6). 2.) Troas (Acts 20. 6-13). What took place at Troas? 3.) 
Voyage to Miletus (Acts 20. 14, 15). 4.) At Miletus, a touching 
address (Acts 20. 17-38). 5.) Voyage to Tyre (Acts 21. 1-6). 6.) 
Ptolemais (Acts 21. 7). 7.) Caesarea (Acts 21. 8-15.) A remark- 
able meeting. 8.) Jerusalem (Acts 21. 17). Paul's errand to 
Jerusalem was to present the contribution of the Gentile churches; 
seeking to reconcile them with the mother church in Jerusalem, 
which was exceedingly bigoted in its zeal for the law (Acts 21*. 20, 
21). 

6. Paul's arrest and imprisonment (Acts 21. 27-34). Our pur- 
pose is not to narrate the personal life of St. Paul but to show the 
development of the Christian church, therefore we do not enter 
into the details of his experience. He was arrested in Jerusalem, and 
placed in the castle of Antonia for his protection (Acts 21. 24); 
subsequently taken to Caesarea (Acts 23. 25-35). Here he 
remained in prison two years (Acts 24. 27). During this time Paul 
was placed on trial at least four times: 1.) Before the Jewish 
council of the Sanhedrim. (Acts 23: 1-10.) 2.) Before the Roman 
governor or procurator Felix. (Acts 24: 1-22 .) 3.) Before Festus, 
the successor of Felix. (Acts 25:1-12.) 4.) Before Agrippa, the 
ethnarch of the Bashan district, called by courtesy " King Agrippa. " 
(Acts 26: 1-32 .) 



The Church Among the Gentiles 



103 






Blackboard Outline 

Part Two 



III. Pau. Thir. Miss. Jour. (54-58). Comp. Tim. Eras 

1. Ant. to Eph. Gal. Phr. 

2. Thr. Ye. Eph. Res. Col. Hier. "Sev. Ch. As." 

3. Mac. Gre. Rev. Phil. Thes. Ber. (Ath. ?) 

Coll. for Jud. 

1) 1 Cor. Eph. 57. 
ap. auth. 3.) 
fai. on." 4.) 



Cor. 



4. Ep. Per. 

57. Mac. P 
tea." "Salv. 
by fai. " 

5. Ret. Jour. 1.) 

5.) Voy. Tyr. 



Tr. Ch. Lif. 


2.) 


2 Cor 


Gal. Mac. 


57- 


"Jud 


Rom. Cor. 


58. 


"Jus 



Ph. 2.) Tro. 3.) Voy. Mil. 4.) Mil. 
6.) Ptol. 7.) Cses. 8.) Jer. 



6. Pau. Arr. & Imp. Jer. Ca?s. 



Review Questions, Part Two 

Who were companions of Paul on his third journey? From what city did 
he start? Through what lands did he first pass? What great city was his 
principal field of lahor? In what neighboring cities did churches arise as a 
result? What provinces in Europe, and what cities in them, did he revisit? 
What was one of his important errands on this journey? Who accompanied 
Paul on his return? What letters were written while Paul was on this 
journey? Name the place from which each of these epistles was written. State 
the approximate date of each letter. What was the purpose or theme of 
each letter? Name some of the places where Paul stopped on his return 
journey. What took place at Troas? What took place at Miletus? Whom did 
Paul meet at Csesarea? What was Paul's destination? WRat was his purpose 
in visiting the mother church ? What happened to Paul at Jerusalem ? To 
what place was he afterwards taken? How long was he a prisoner in that 
place? 

Part Three 

IV. Paul's Fourth Journey (Acts 27 and 28). Although made 
by a prisoner, some of the time wearing a chain (Acts 26.29:28. 20) , 
the journey to Rome was a missionary journey, in many respects 
like Paul's other journeys. To visit Rome had long been his 
desire and expectation (Acts 19. 21. Rom. 1. 15. Rom. 15. 23, 24). 
His companions on the journey, Luke, Aristarchus (Acts 27. 1,2), 
and probably Timothy. 



104 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

i. On the voyage he was able to bring the gospel to the island 
of Malta (Acts 28 7-10). 

2. Arriving at Rome (Acts 28. 16) he took up his work as nearly 
as possible according to his regular method. 1.) He found a. home 
and employment (Acts 28. 16). 2.) As he could not go to the syna- 
gogue he sent for the chief Jews arid preached the gospel to them 
(Acts 28. 17-24). 3.) He then turned to the Gentiles (Acts 28. 
28-31). 4.) Some results of his ministry in Rome (Phil 1. 12-18) 

3. The Epistles of Paul's Imprisonment at Rome. The order of 
these is uncertain, but they belong rather to the close of the period 
than to its opening. 

1.) Ephesians; called by S. T. Coleridge "the divinest com- 
position of man;" written A. D. 62; its subject, "The mys- 
tical union of Christ and his church. " 
2.) Philipptans; the most affectionate of all Paul's letters; 
written A. D. 62; its subject "The character of Christ's fol- 
lowers. " 
3.) Colossians; written to a church that Paul had never seen; 
about A. D. 62; subject, "Christ the Head of the Church." 
4.) Philemon: a personal letter to a friend at Colossae concern- 
ing a runaway slave Onesimus, whom Paul sent back, "no 
longer a slave, but a brother beloved." 
V. Paul's Later Years. The record is uncertain, and almost 
unknown. It is probable, though not certain, that Paul was set 
free about 63 A. D. 

1. His years of liberty. 63 to 67 A. D. Shall we speak of a 
fifth journey? We find hints or expectations of his being at Colossae 
(Philem. 22) ; Miletus (2 Tim. 4. 13) ; Nicopolis, north of Greece, on 
the Adriatic Sea (Titus 3. 12). Tradition states that at this place 
he was arrested, and sent from it a second time to Rome. 

2. His last epistles. It is not certain that all the "pastoral 
epistles " were written by Paul. 1 .) They are unlike his other writ- 
ings in their style. 2.) His doctrinal views are not prominent in 
them. Yet on the whole, they show a reasonable probability of 
Paul's authorship. 

1.) First Timothy was written during the period of liberty, 
between 63 and 66 A. D., as a book of counsels to a minister, 
Timothy, in charge of the church at Ephesus. 



The Church Among the Gentiles 105 

2.) Titus, about the same time and for the same purpose; to 

Titus, in charge of churches on the island of Crete. 
3.) Second Timothy, from Rome, during Paul's second and 
last imprisonment; a letter of farewell counsels to his "son 
Timothy." Strictly speaking this book should be named 
under the next subject. 
VI. The First Imperial Persecution, The Christians were 
becoming numerous in Rome, as well as throughout the empire; 
and a conflict was sure to arise with the Roman government. The 
first persecution came soon after the burning of Rome, A. D. 64, 
which Nero charged falsely upon the Christians. Thousands were 
put to death, although the persecution was mainly limited to the 
capital. The martyrdom of St. Paul, probably of St. Peter also, 
took place about 68 A. D. at Rome. 

Blackboard Outline 
Part Three 



* 







* 


IV. 


Pau. Fou. Jour, Pris. Comp. Lu. Aris. Tim. 






I. 


Gos. Mai. 






2. 


Ro. 1.) Ho. Emp. 2.) Sent. Ch. Je. 3.) Tur. 
4.) Res. min. 


Gen. 




3- 


Ep. Pau. Imp. 1.) Eph. "Mys. Un. Ch. and 


Ch." 






2.) Phil. "Char. Chr. fol." 3.) Col. "Chr. Hea. 


Ch." 






4.) Philem. Run. Sla. 






V. 


Pau, Lat. Ye. 1. Yea. Lib. Col. Mil. Nicop. 2. 
Ep. 1.) 1 Tim. 2.) Tit. 3.) 2. Tim. 


Las. 




VI. 


Fir. Imp. Per. Mart. Pau. 68 A. D. 






* 






-* 



Review Questions. Part Three 

Under what circumstances did Paul make his fourth journey? Who were his 
companions? Where did he preach the gospel on his journey? How did he 
follow his regular method, as far as possible, at Rome? What were some 
results of his ministry in Rome? What epistles were written at Rome? What 
is the subject of these epistles? How long was Paul at liberty after his first 
imprisonment? What places did he probably visit during those years? What 
were the last three epistles written by Paul? What is the subject of each 
epistle? How did the first imperial persecution of the Christians arise? Who 
probably suffered martyrdom at this time ? 



EIGHTEENTH STUDY 

The End of the Age 

From the Death of St. Paul, A. D. 68, to the Death of St. John, 

ioo A. D. 

Part One 

We come now to our last period, an age of shadows, of which we 
know very little, and wish that we knew more. The curtain of New 
Testament history falls while St. Paul is still a prisoner at Rome, 
five years before the supposed date of his death. From that time, 
A. D. 63, to about A. D. 125 there is very little history, and none in 
the New Testament; we are left to hints, traditions, and conjectures. 

A question which we would like to answer is, What became of 
the companions of St. Paul: such men as Timothy (Heb. 13. 23), 
Titus (2 Tim. 4. 10), Apollos (Titus 3. 13), Luke (2 Tim. 4. n)? 
All of these were living and working at the close of Paul's life; but 
there is no report of their life and labors after that event. 

Another perplexing fact is that when the curtain rises at about 125 
A. D. it shows us a very different church from that of St. Paul's day: 
a church completely organized, with bishops in almost absolute 
control; and sects quarreling over controversies apparently 
unknown when St. Paul wrote his letters. 

While Peter and Paul were living the church had wise and states- 
manlike leaders, who directed its energies. But when these great 
men died " second-rate men" were left in control and they were not 
equal to the demand of the new time; and the church drifted into 
disputes, which grew into divisions. Let us notice the few known 
Events of this Period. 

I. The Fall of Jerusalem: epoch-making, not only to Jewish but 
also to Christian history. 

1. The rebellion of the Jews against the Roman power began in 
68 A. D. ; hopeless from the beginning — for how could one small state 
measure swords with the empire of the civilized world? The city 
of Jerusalem was taken and destroyed 70 A. D., and with it fell for- 
ever the Jewish state. 

106 



The End of the Age 107 

2. The siege had been predicted in the gospels (Matt. 24. 15-18; 
Mark 13. 14), and was expected by the disciples of Christ. The 
Christians in Jerusalem and Judea withdrew to Pella in the Jordan 
valley; but their numbers were not large, showing that Jewish Chris- 
tianity must have declined since A. D. 58 (see Acts 21. 20), while 
Gentile Christianity had increased. After the destruction of Jer- 
usalem Jewish Christianity remained for 200 years a feeble and 
declining sect, hated by their own people as traitors, and despised 
by Gentile Christians because they still observed the Jewish law. 

3 . The effect of the fall of Jerusalem was to draw a sharp line of 
division between Jews and Christians. Before, the two classes had 
been closely related, and confused in the popular mind. Thence- 
forth the two streams ran further and further apart, and have con- 
tinued apart even to our own time. All Jewish rites ceased in the 
church, Christians could no longer be Jews; and after 125 A. D. 
Jews could no longer be Christians without renouncing Judaism. 
The church was now thoroughly a Gentile, non-Jewish church. 
Note in the gospel of John how "the Jews" are everywhere named 
as enemies of Christ (John 5. 16; 7. 1; 11. 8; 18. 36); and yet the 
author of this book was himself a Jew by birth and training; but 
at the time of writing he had ceased to be a Jew. 

II. St. John at Ephestts. Ephesus, at the western end of Asia 
Minor, was now the leading city of Christianity. It is probable that 
the apostle John passed the last thirty years of his life in that city. 
He was revered as the last of the apostles; but he was not a states- 
man or man of affairs; rather a mystic and man of meditation. It 
is supposed that he died about 100 A. D. but the date is not certain. 

III. The Rise of the Heresies. 1. This was the inevitable 
result of the Greek mind working on the simple doctrines of the gospel. 
The Christian doctrine was Jewish; and the Jewish mind was not 
given to subtle intellectual questions. But when Christianity ceased 
to be Jewish and began to Gentile it was dominated by the Greek 
spirit of restless inquiry. Asia Minor was the home of wild, uncon- 
trolled thinking. Sects almost without number appeared, wrangled, 
and divided over every article of the creed. The more mysterious 
the question, the more apart from practical life and from human 
interest, the more fascinating became the study. 

2. Two great classes of sects embraced many minor groups. 



108 Outline Studies in the New Testament 

i.) The Ebionites . Strict Jews, who sought to make Christianity a 
branch of Pharisaism, keeping the Jewish law. 2.) The Gnostics. 
People with peculiar views concerning the nature of God, heavenly 
beings, the nature of Christ. 

3 . The results of these controversies were both good and evil. 1 .) 
Good in that the clashing of ideas aided in fixing in permanent form 
the true doctrines of the church. 2 .) But far more evil; for the ener- 
gies of the members were absorbed in debate and controversy; 
the spiritual life of the church greatly declined ; the aim ceased to 
be devotion to Christ, but was now orthodoxy in belief. Chris- 
tianity became a creed, instead of an inner spiritual life. 

IV. The Second Imperial Persecution; under the emperor Dom- 
itian, son of Titus, about A. D. 95. This was far more widely 
extended than the former persecution under Nero; and it was 
followed by a long series of persecutions, wherein untold thousands 
of Christians were put to death. The inevitable conflict had come 
between Christianity and the Roman empire, and it lasted two hun- 
dred years; but at its close the cross was triumphant over the 
Roman eagles. It is not difficult to see the causes of this struggle : 

1 . Heathenism was hospitable, welcoming new gods and goddesses, 
while Christianity was exclusive, opposing with all its might every 
other form of worship. 

2 . Idol-worship and its services were interwoven with all the life of 
the people; personal, family, social, political. Temples, statues, 
festivals were constantly in evidence; on all occasions there were 
rites of worship. But here was a growing multitude of people 
who stood aloof from these exercises. It was not strange that 
these people were regarded as enemies of society and of the state. 

3. Certain forms of religion were allowed in the Roman empire, 
but all new forms were forbidden. Judaism was a permitted relig- 
ion. As long as Christianity was looked upon as a branch of Juda- 
ism, it was allowed. But after the fall of Jerusalem it stood alone, 
an unlicensed form of worship, hence under suspicion; suspicion 
readily becoming enmity. 

4. The worship of the emperor was the one most prevalent 
throughout the empire. A statue of the reigning emperor stood in 
every city, and it was a test of loyalty to offer libations of incense 
before it. This ivorship is doubtless referred to in an enigmatic 



The End of the Age 109 

manner in such passages as 2 Thess. 2. 3, 4. Rev. 13. 1, 4, 8, 18. 
This worship was refused by the Christians, who were for that reason 
regarded as disloyal. 

From these causes persecution after persecution arose ; hundreds 
of thousands perished; yet in spite of the persecution, the church 
grew rapidly. 

Blackboard Outline 
Part One 



* 



En. Ag. Ag. shad. 
"Sec. ra. m. 
I. Fa. Jen 1.) Reb. A. D. 68-70. 2.) Siege pred. Chr. 
with. Pel. 3.) Eff. div. Je. Chr. 
II. Jhn. Eph. Last. Ap. 100 A. D. 

III. Ris. Her. 1. Gre. min. 2. Eb. Gnos. 3. Res. 

1.) G. 2.) Ev. 

IV. Sec. Imp. Per. Dom. 95. Caus. 1. Heath, hosp. 2. Id. 

wor. int. li. 3. Jud. per. rel. Chr. unlic. 4. Wor. 
Emp. 



Review Questions 

What is said of the period after the death of St. Paul? Between what years 
is there very little history? What companions of St. Paul were living at the 
time of his death? What became of these men? Wherein was the church of 
a later period different from that of the earlier time? What reason is assigned 
for these changes? Name the four principal events in the period under con- 
sideration. When did the rebellion of the Jews against the Roman empire 
begin? What was the result of this rebellion? What became of the Christians 
in Jerusalem at the opening of the Jewish war? What was the after history 
of Jewish Christianity? What was the effect of the fall of Jerusalem on the 
relations between Christianity and Judaism? Who was the last of the twelve 
apostles on the earth? Where did he live? What was his character? What 
is said as to his death? What divisions in the church arose at this period? 
Of what were these divisions the result? What country was the home of the 
heresies? Who were the Ebionites? Who were the Gnostics? What good 
result came from these controversies? What evil result followed them? What 
persecution arose during this period? At what time? Under what emperor 
did the persecution begin ? How did it compare with the earlier persecution 
under Nero? What general causes may be given for the series of imperial 
persecutions of the Christians? Wherein was heathenism hospitable, and 
Christianity exclusive? How was idolatry interwoven with the affairs of life? 
How was this fact adverse to the Christians? How did Christianity come to 



no Outline- Studies in the New Testament 

be looked on with suspicion in the empire? How did the worship of the 
emperor affect the Christians? What is this worship called in the New Testa- 
ment? Did these persecutions stop the progress of the church? 

Part Two 
Let us consider the condition of the church at the end of the first 
century, seventy years after the Ascension of our Lord. 

1. Its Numbers cannot be definitely stated; but the church was 
very large, and growing with marvelous rapidity. Sources of 
information: i.) The catacombs; cemeteries under and around Rome 
where Christians only were buried, and wherein they met in times 
of persecution; occupied between ioo and 400 A. D.; containing in 
three centuries two million graves of Christians. 2.) A letter of 
Pliny, Roman governor of Bithynia-Pontus in Asia Minor, 112 
A. D., stating that "the temples were almost deserted," "an 
incredible number of professors. " Evidences point to the church, 
A. D. 100, having already a large proportion of the population of 
the Roman empire. 

II. Its Membership. 1. Once the church had been entirely 
Jewish; then it became Jewish and Gentile; now it was almost 
everywhere a Gentile church, with a few Jewish members, most of 
whom had abandoned Jewish rites and rules and were regarded 
by the Jews as "apostates. 

2 . Its social condition was varied . It is a mistake to suppose that 
at any time the early church was composed mainly of slaves and 
the poorest classes. Such there were; but there were also men of 
wealth, of high rank, and of great influence. There is reason to 
believe that some relatives of the emperor, previous to 100 A. D. 
were banished on account of their Christian profession. The gospel 
had by this time permeated all classes. 

III. Its Organization. We observe in this respect a remarkable 
change since the period of St. Paul's ministry. Everywhere the 
church was hardening into an ecclesiastical system ruled by bishops. 
Bishops are first mentioned late in St. Paul's ministry (Acts 20. 28; 
Rev. Ver. Phil. 1. 1; 1 Tim. 3. 1-7); but it is evident that the 
word at that time meant no more than "elder; " otherwise the elders 
of Ephesus would not have been called "bishops " in Acts 20.28. But 
in an autocratic state the church would naturally become auto- 
cratic in its arrangement, ruled from above rather than from below. 
By 125 A. D. bishops were in control everywhere. 



The End of the Age hi 

IV. Its Institutions. Two of these require notice, i. The 
Lord's Supper. We have seen how this began as a service in the 
home, like the Jewish Passover, out of which it grew (Acts 2. 46). 
But among Gentile churches the custom arose of celebrating it at 
a public meeting, as a supper to which each member brought some 
share of provision. See 1 Cor. 11. 20-30, an account of abuses 
that had arisen. By the end of the first century the supper had 
become a service held at the meeting place of the Christians, but not 
in public. All except members of the church were axcluded from 
this service, whioh was held as a" mystery." 

2. The Lord's Day. The observance of the first day of the week 
grew gradually, and with its growth the recognition of the Jewish 
sabbath declined. Note the development indicated in 1 Cor. 16.2; 
Acts 20. 7; Rev. 1. 10. As the church became entirely a Gentile 
institution "the Lord's day" took the place of the Jewish sabbath. 

V. Its Doctrinal System. The theology of St. Paul, as set forth 
in Romans and Ephesians, was now accepted as the doctrine of the 
church. Notice that St. Peter (1 Pet. 1. 18-21) states the great 
Pauline principle of justification by faith through the blood of 
Christ. 

VI. Its Literature. By 100 A. D. all the books of the New Test- 
ament were written, though not all of them were everywhere 
accepted as authoritative. In some places there were questions 
about Hebrews, 2 Peter and Revelation ; the latter because local 
in its address, and so recent in origin as not to be known every- 
where. But the gospels (except John, which was about 95 A. D. in 
its date), the Acts and nearly all the' epistles were read in all the 
churches as possessing an inspired authority. Note that, in 2 
Peter, Paul's writings are placed on a par with "the other Scrip- 
tures," which must refer to the Old Testament. 

VII. Its Spiritual Life. It must be admitted that there had 
been a decline in the fervency of the Christian life in the church. 
Its moral standards were still high ; but spiritual gifts had become less 
noticeable; the rule of bishops and councils and the controversies 
over doctrines were weakening the fervor of spirituality. Note 
the difference in spirit and tone between the writings of the New 
Testament and those of the early church-fathers in the second 
century. 



ii2 Outline Studies in the New Testament 



Blackboard Outline 

Part Two 



Kt 


Cond. of Ch. ioo A D* 


* 


I. 


Nam. i.) Cat. 2.) Let. Plin. 




II. 


Mem. 1.) Gen. few Je. 2.) Soc. cond. all class. 




III. 


Org. Ecc. Sys. ru. b. Bish. 




IV. 


Inst, Lor. Sup. Lor. D. 




V. 


Doc. Sys. Theo. Pau. 




VI. 


Lit. N. T. 




VII. 


Spir. Lif. Dec. 




* 




M 



Review Questions. Part Two 

What is the estimate of the number of members in the church at the end 
of the first century? What evidence of this is found in the Catacombs of 
Rome? What evidence is given by a letter? Who wrote this letter, and when 
was it written? Was the church at this time Jewish or Gentile? What was 
the relation of Jewish believers to the church? Of what social elements was 
the church composed? How was the church organized at this time? What 
references to "bishops" are found in the New Testament, and what do they 
indicate? How did the bishops grow to be rulers in the church? What two 
institutions of the church are referred to? How was the Lord's Supper 
observed in the earliest church? What changes arose in the method of 
administration? How did the first day of the week come to be recognized 
in the church? What was the doctrinal system of this time? What was the 
literature of the church? What books were at first questioned? What was 
the spiritual condition of the church as compared with earlier periods? What 
may have caused the decline in spiritual fervor? 



The End 



li^pr 



